MADD's 'Take Two' Show Reveals Dangers of Underage Drinking and Reckless Driving
DALLAS, May 17, 2007 -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and National Presenting Sponsor DaimlerChrysler's Road Ready Teens program have delivered a sober message during the 2006-2007 school year through a dynamic multimedia school assembly show encouraging secondary school students to make smart choices about not using alcohol and driving safely.
Since 2001, nearly 5 million students of all ages in more than 8,000 schools have seen MADD's multimedia shows. Schools often bring in the shows as part of their on site prevention programs during Red Ribbon Week, drug prevention awareness month and other peak times of the year including holidays, spring break, prom season and graduation. Alcohol is the number one drug problem among our youth according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens.
"Unfortunately, throughout the school year students face the challenges of peer pressures to drink and to act in dangerous ways in an effort to celebrate a special time in their lives," said Glynn Birch, national president, MADD. "This show is designed to speak sensibly to teens about how to act responsibly all year long, but it's a particularly relevant message now as teens need facts on why they should make smart and healthy choices. For those under 21, alcohol clouds precious memories and is never a good way to have fun, especially given it is illegal in all 50 states."
Take Two is based on a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood to show that, on a movie set, actors get second chances when they make mistakes. But in the real world, there aren't always second takes. Take Two helps students realize they should not buy into the hype Hollywood presents about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use with advertising targeting the teen market. The show also teaches students the importance of making healthy choices, avoiding alcohol and other drug use and understanding the risks and responsibilities as new teen drivers. Imagery, music and language engages students as poignant stories of real young people; celebrity interviews; clips from major motion pictures; and a contemporary soundtrack saturate the viewers' senses.
Since 2004, DaimlerChrysler's Road Ready Teens program has worked with MADD to include safe teen driving messages in the multimedia assembly show and prepare teens for the risks and responsibilities they face behind the wheel. Through Road Ready Teens, teenagers are able to first gain valuable experience and driving maturity before facing high-risk situations behind the wheel. Unique to the Road Ready Teens program is its outreach to teens through the StreetWise video game. The Road Ready Teens guidelines are imbedded in the game, making learning seamless and part of the fun. The game -- which is available free on the Internet at http://www.roadreadyteens.org/ -- combines the popularity and excitement of video games with the principles behind safe driving to challenge and teach teens about driving risks and safety practices.
"With so many teens injured or killed on our nation's roadways each year, it is important to reach out to teens about the risks that come with getting behind the wheel," said Deb Morrissett, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for DaimlerChrysler. "The MADD multimedia show provides our Road Ready Teens program with the opportunity to take safe teen driving messages and the StreetWise video game straight to new and inexperienced drivers in a memorable and entertaining format."
A recent survey by MADD of 1,410 students who watched MADD's other secondary school show, The Spot, during the 2005-2006 school season, highlighted the impact on students' views as found below. Results from the 2006-07 show, Take Two, questionnaires will be available later this summer.
-- Eighty-seven percent of students surveyed stated that they learned more
about the dangers of underage drinking by watching the multimedia
presentation.
-- Fifty-one percent of students stated that, after viewing the multimedia
presentation, they were less likely to drink or start drinking.
-- Eighty-eight percent of students surveyed stated that the show gave
them a better understanding of how badly alcohol can damage the brain.
This year, Take Two has reached more 400 schools throughout the U.S. Also available are new DVD Class Packs that provide the tools for school leaders to take the show's messages into the classroom. The class packs include a facilitator's guide, DVDs, student handouts and posters to promote the exciting new resource on campus. To check show availability in your area and/or to order DVD Class Packs, call 800-438-6233 ext 4504 or email assembly@madd.org.
MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has helped save more than 330,000 lives since its founding in 1980. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/ or http://www.schoolassembly.org/.
DaimlerChrysler: Road Ready Teens is a research-driven, home-based program for parents and teens. The program provides tips and tools designed to help teens gain the necessary driving experience and maturity behind the wheel before tackling high-risk driving situations. Road Ready Teens is designed to reach parents and teens on their own terms -- parents with an easy-to-use guide and teens with the StreetWise Version 2.0 video game. More information and materials are available free-of-charge at http://www.roadreadyteens.org/.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070516/TEENSLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030421/MADDLOGO
