Back to School: Straughn High School and Andalusia High School Work to Prevent Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking as Students Begin the New School Year

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Alabama ABC) is partnering with Diageo, the world's leading premium spirits, wine and beer company and an industry leader in promoting responsible drinking, to combat underage drinking and bring a life-saving lesson to students in Andalusia, Alabama, as they begin the new school year. Brandon Silveria and his father Tony will speak to students of Straughn High School and Andalusia High School about the importance of "making the right choice" about alcohol, and that if students are under the age of 21, the only responsible decision is not to drink. Brandon is a young man who was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before his high school prom.

Captain Hal Taylor, Assistant Director of the Alabama ABC Board Law Enforcement Division, said of Brandon's visits, "The Alabama ABC Board is committed to trying to stop drunk driving and underage drinking in Alabama. Having Brandon Silveria visit our high schools will show our teenagers the fateful consequences of drinking and driving, and will help the community come together to say no to underage drinking."

During the presentation, Brandon recounts his wrenching story of how, as a high school student, he had everything a teenager could want – a job, a girlfriend and plans for the future – until he had a few drinks at a party and chose to drive home.  After falling asleep at the wheel, crossing the centerline and crashing into a tree, he was left in a coma for three months and spent several years in rehabilitation. Brandon was so badly injured that basic motor functions such as walking, talking and swallowing had to be re-learned. He sustained permanent brain injury and suffers from dangerous seizures. Brandon's presentations consistently receive standing ovations at schools across the country from students who are touched by his story.

Diageo has worked with Brandon for over 15 years to help raise the awareness of high school students of the dangers of underage drinking. Lynn Walding, Executive Director of Control States, Diageo North America said of the event and the partnership, "Brandon has a powerful story to share with young people with the hope that his message resonates with students today so they can make the right choices tomorrow. Diageo believes our products should be enjoyed responsibly by adults only and, as the school year begins, we are helping students get the information to make the right choice to not drink."

Diageo recently supplied the Alabama ABC with point of sale materials through the Board's Responsible Vendor / Alcohol Awareness Division, including ID mats designed to help customers and clerks determine the legal age of buyers. Diageo also provided bars and restaurants throughout Alabama with DRINKiQ coasters to educate consumers about  current laws and regulations regarding overconsumption, drunk driving and underage drinking.

Brandon's presentation was originally scheduled for May around the Prom and graduation season, however, the event was postponed due the storms and tornados that wrecked havoc around the state in late April. To assist with the rescue efforts, the Alabama ABC provided work details in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere in the state, while Diageo delivered nearly 75,000 bottles of drinking water to the Tuscaloosa Police Dept (TPD) and the Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Service (TFRS). The demands of that emergency service postponed Brandon's presentation until the new school year.  

About the Alabama ABC

The Alabama ABC Board was established by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Act passed in February, 1937. The ABC Act established the ABC Board and gives it control over the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages within the state.

It is the ABC Board's goal to maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient distribution network of controlled products while maintaining an extremely professional level of public safety programs to insure responsibility in the distribution, possession and consumption of these products. ABC's law enforcement officers are well trained and operate at the highest level of professional police standards. The ABC Board strives each day to provide the citizens of Alabama the best service and safety that they should expect from our employees.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo