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Mothers
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Summer, 1998 Newsletter (Part 1 of 2) Contents:Part 1 of Summer 1998 Newsletter
Part 2 of Summer 1998 Newsletter
Our current generation of teenagers is growing by leaps and bounds. This is an echo of the Baby Boom: more than half of the increase is attributable to children born to the Baby Boom generation, many of whom delayed child bearing. In addition to this, high levels of immigration by predominately young families coupled with high birth rates among minorities contributes to our expanding teen population. These children - born between 1980 to 1993 - are often referred to as the "Y" generation. Statistics show that within the next 10 years, we are to expect a 33% increase in individuals 15-19 years of age, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of the overall population… that’s well over 800,000 teens by the year 2008. By that time California will have a higher proportion of teenagers than that of any time since the 1980’s. But what does this mean for us? We know that teenagers are at risk in many of society’s problem areas, including crime, gangs, drug use and teenage pregnancy. So the fact that the teenage population is rapidly increasing portends serious consequences. One particular area of concern is traffic safety. Nationwide, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of deaths for 15-20 year olds (32 percent), and teenage drivers are responsible for a highly disproportionate number of motor vehicle collisions, injuries and deaths. In 1995, although teens comprised only 6.3% of California’s population, they were involved in 12.5% of all fatal and injury motor vehicle collisions. Teen drivers are also more likely to be at fault in a collision. Nationally, 16 year olds have the highest rate of involvement in fatal crashes per mile driven. In California, 16 year olds are at fault 66% of the time. This high risk status results from a mix of inexperience and immaturity. Combining these characteristics with alcohol use creates a particularly deadly mix. Last year the leading edge of Generation Y reached the 15-16 driving age. One-third of that increase reaches driving age this year. For the next ten years, Generation Y will be swelling the ranks of teen motorists on California highways. The prospect looms of large increases in collisions, fatalities and injuries. It is estimated that by 2007, 15-17 year olds will cause 24% more motor vehicle crashes because they will choose to drink and drive; but forewarned is forearmed. We can take steps now to educate our young adults. Are you ready to stand up with MADD against the odds? Our High School outreach program is just one of the eagerly accepted programs offered to teenagers to help them understand the consequences of driving under the influence.
Travelers Group: Driven and Charging Against Drunk Driving Travelers Bank and Travelers Group exchange - which are part of Travelers Group, a worldwide leader in financial services - will contribute more than $5 million to MADD through a variety of marketing initiatives over the next five years. This is the largest sponsorship in MADD’s history and it will take MADD’s life-saving public awareness initiatives to an even higher level. "Driven" Travelers generous sponsorship includes major underwriting of the first two issues of Driven, which will help MADD communicate more impactfully with members, supporters and everyone else concerned about drunk driving. This exciting new publication showcases MADD programs, victim services, legislative initiatives and other solutions for impaired driving. "We hope this improved publication will keep MADD supporters and anti-drunk driving activities everywhere better informed on the issues while also offering ways for them to help solve this problem," says Peter Dawkins, CEO, Travelers Group Exchange. "The Key" Another priority for Travelers is reaching parents - a critical group in the fight to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. Travelers has underwritten The Key, an interactive CD ROM program that helps parents talk about alcohol with their teenage children. The program is a catalyst for open dialog between parents and teens, and also tells families how to jointly set rules and consequences for underage drinking and drunk driving. "MADD Platinum VISA" Travelers will also help generate funding for MADD’s public awareness programs through Travelers Bank’s new MADD Platinum VISA credit card. This innovative charge plate makes it easy for anyone who uses a credit card to help keep America’s roads safe from drunk drivers. Each time a qualified person signs up with the MADD Platinum VISA credit card, Travelers Bank will donate $10 to MADD. Additionally, every time a consumer uses the card, Travelers Bank will donate a percentage of charges to MADD. More people using the card as often as possible will mean more donations for MADD in preventing drunk driving. People using the Travelers MADD VISA card do not have to change their buying habits or even spend one penny more. They simply change their current credit card in their wallet to a MADD VISA credit card. This easy step will get us one step closer in ending the preventable, violent crime of drunk driving. "I am personally touched when I hear tragic stories of loved ones killed needlessly by a drunk driver," says Raymond Fischer, President, Travelers Bank. "That is why we are motivated to support MADD’s mission through this credit card program and program sponsorship. When the MADD VISA credit card is used, conversations can be started in the retail store on drunk driving and prevention programs. The clerk will ask about the card, about MADD and how we can work together to stop drunk driving. It’s a powerful public awareness tool that also raises money to further MADD programs and services." Travelers gives MADD supporters and anyone else concerned about drunk driving a few easy ways to help stop this national tragedy… all without any major change in your lifestyle or actions. Please help Travelers help MADD. Call 1 (800) 992-6233 to apply for the MADD Platinum VISA credit card. -Cathey Wise, MADD Director of Corporate Marketing
What do teens know about alcohol? Young people are bombarded with messages about alcohol every day; the typical American will see 100,000 beer commercials before they turn 18. Unfortunately, many of these messages do not include the real facts. The reality is that underage drinking can lead to car crashes, drownings, unplanned pregnancies, and school failure. Simply put: alcohol ruins many young lives. In 1994, over 40% of all deaths of16-20 year olds were a result of car crashes. About half of those - around 2,222 - were alcohol related. And yet, even when trying to send young people the right information about alcohol, you are still up against the mixed messages they receive about drinking in the world. Studies from the U.S. Public Health Service show that teens do not understand the concept of alcohol content; they think they can sober up by drinking coffee or getting some fresh air … and many teens cannot even differentiate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
The 21-year-old drinking age is the law in all 50 States and where it is strictly enforced it saves lives.
These are dangerous numbers for our impressionable youth, especially when we consider that 95% of violent crimes on campus are alcohol related. Statistics -- death of all 15 - 20-year olds
Sober Prom SM - 1998 Alcohol and tobacco together kill more than 50 times the number of people killed by cocaine, heroin and every other drug combined… a very sobering thought. And so, with this in mind, MADD makes the effort every year to educate students about the realities of drug abuse through our High School Outreach program, Sober PromSM. Sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors and Allstate Insurance, Sober PromSM was offered free of charge to all of our Orange County Schools during the months of May and June. We are pleased to report to our members that all of our hard work paid off, and our 55 minute program was well received by faculty and students alike. So, what was on the agenda for this years’ program? After assembling the junior and senior class into the school gym, the program was introduced by Rich Allum, a Detective for the Costa Mesa P.D. After choosing 4 volunteers from among the student audience, Detective Allum began a demonstration with MADD’s newest acquisition: FatalVision goggles. When worn, these goggles give a visual simulation of a .16 to a .20 BAC (Blood Alcohol Level). During this demonstration, students are able to see how well their friends can’t cope while impaired. After this lighthearted yet impressive presentation, a speaker is heard. This speaker varied for each program, but was always a young adult who had been convicted of a drug or alcohol related crime. Students were then invited to "tag along" to visit the morgue along a handful of court mandated youthful DUI offenders. This impactful 30 minute film gives first hand experiences of wrong choices and their consequences, giving a strong message to the students about the effect one person can have on many. This was followed by The schools’ drama class, as they related 4-6 experiences of teenagers who grew up in Orange County, and whose lives were cut short after being hit and killed by a drunk driver. And then, ending on a positive, upbeat note, the ASB presented their Prom Court, or nominations for Prom king, queen, prince and princess in a fast paced fun-filled fashion show. After the program was over, a student from Western High School said, "That was the best assembly our school has ever had. Thanks." The Senior Class President from Buena Park High School said, "You guys were so cool. This was the perfect thing to have before our prom. I’m going to make sure to tell the Junior Cabinet to call you guys again next year." This page is: http://www.maddorangecounty.org/news/Summer98a.htm |
