By Debbie Weir
MADD Chief Executive Officer
I am honored and motivated to work on achieving MADD’s mission every day. I am inspired by the victims we serve. Their stories put a voice and face on stark statistics. At least once a week, I volunteer as a victim advocate for MADD’s 24-hour 1-877-MADD-HELP line.
I vividly remember taking a call from a bereaved mom. Her 19- year-old son died of alcohol poisoning while at college. She told him on several occasions to never drink and drive. “I will forever regret that I didn’t guide him to not drink alcohol until he was at least 21 years old,” she said. “Perhaps that advice would have saved his life.”
My heart aches for this mom and all other loved ones who have to live without their children due to alcohol related deaths.
During this Prom and Graduation Season, adults need to be concerned about our kids and underage drinking. PowerTalk 21® is MADD’s national day for parents and other caring adults to talk with teens about alcohol, but it shouldn’t just be a conversation you have once and then consider it done. Whether a parent, coach, or teacher, you want to protect them and give them guidance that helps them build healthy, happy lives.
As a mom of two boys, well, now young men, I know that it isn’t always easy, especially at first. Talking with teens about just about anything can often be a difficult task. My youngest is a freshman in college—a very critical stage in his life. I’ve had the conversation about the dangers of underage drinking with both of my boys many times, and will continue to do so. Their usual response is, “We know mom!” But I still use every opportunity to remind them about the dangers of underage drinking. Talking to kids about underage drinking prevention is caring for them.
Underage drinking kills 4,700 people each year! And MADD is here to help. Along with our free Parent Handbook, we have other resources available to parents in need of tips and tools to help them have this lifesaving conversation, including Seven Tips for Connecting with Your Teen and Conversation Starters for Talking with Your Teen.
I hope you will be inspired by this one bereaved mom’s story and have this important conversation with your kids.
As one very proud parent and MADD advocate, I wish you and your children good health, safety, and happiness.
Warmest regards,
Debbie Weir