By Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Last month, communities around the country celebrated PowerTalk 21® day on April 21st — the national day for parents and kids to talk about alcohol. But just because PowerTalk 21 day has passed, doesn’t mean the conversation is over.
Did you know that underage drinking kills approximately 4,700 people each year, more than all other illegal drugs combined?
And not just because of drunk driving. Over two-thirds of all deaths associated with underage drinking are not on the roadways—they're things like homicides, suicides, alcohol poisonings, falls, drownings, burns and other causes of deaths. And that doesn’t include other risks of underage drinking, like unplanned or unsafe sex, injuries, declining school performance, and greater chances of having problems with alcohol later in life.
The choices you make today are setting the foundation for your future.
Staying on a positive path – and joining the majority of teens who don’t drink – helps you reach your ultimate goals and dreams. That’s why MADD developed the Power of You(th) program, to empower teens to say no to alcohol and never get in a car with someone who’s been drinking.
Successful teens report that one of their biggest challenges is resisting peer pressure and the desire to “fit in.” In order to stay true to your own values, sometimes it is helpful to be prepared for uncomfortable situations. Have some simple answers ready so that you can resist peer pressure without making a big scene or issue about it. If you answer in a natural tone of voice, your friends may not even notice.
Try practicing:
- Simple one-liners: “It’s just not for me; it’s not what I want,”
“I don’t drink,” or “no thanks.”
- Offering an alternative: “I’d rather have soda.”
- Making an excuse: “I have a test to study for tomorrow.”
- Giving a short explanation: “I really just don’t like the taste.”
- Changing the subject
Get MADD's research-based teen booklet to learn more ways to resist peer pressure and stop underage drinking in your community.