MADD and State Farm Empower Teens to Prevent Underage Drinking During Red Ribbon Week and Year-Round

-- Power of You(th) initiative aims to prevent underage drinking, which kills about 6,000 people annually, more than all illegal drugs combined --

DALLAS, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of Red Ribbon Week (October 21-27, 2012), Mothers Against Drunk Driving^® (MADD) and National Presenting Sponsor State Farm^® are introducing the newest tool to prevent underage drinking, a booklet called The 411 on Teen Drinking. This booklet is part of MADD's Power of You(th) program, which empowers teens to resist peer pressure and influence other teens to make smart decisions about alcohol. MADD is partnering with schools around the country to distribute the booklet during Red Ribbon Week, but teens can also get the booklet at www.madd.org/youthbooklet.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/MADDLOGO )

"When it comes to underage drinking, teens may feel like 'everyone is doing it,' but the truth is that only one out of five teens binge drinks — which means four out of five don't," said MADD National President Jan Withers. "MADD and State Farm have teamed up to empower teens to avoid underage drinking during Red Ribbon Week and year-round with research-based tools like the Power of You(th) teen booklet."

The 411 on Teen Drinking booklet provides valuable information on a variety of underage drinking topics, including: the effect of alcohol on the still-developing teen brain; some of the negative results and consequences of underage drinking; the dangers of drunk driving; how to talk with parents about alcohol; how to make good choices; and ultimately, how to take a stand by influencing peers not to drink underage.

Additionally, MADD's second Power of You(th) National Teen Video Contest encourages teens to create a short video that illustrates the power that youth have to take a stand against underage drinking. The contest is open for entries now through December 28, 2012, and the grand prize winner will receive the latest iPad. Teens can go to www.madd.org/youthvideo to enter.

"Both the teen booklet and the video contest were literally shaped by youth for youth," added Kellie Clapper, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for State Farm. "State Farm is thrilled to partner with MADD on the Power of You(th) program to help keep our teens safe from the dangers of underage drinking."

The 411 on Teen Drinking booklet is the result of input from both adults and teens. As part of the Power of You(th) program, MADD convened its first ever National Teen Influencer Summit this summer, bringing together a group of 10 remarkable teens from across the country to provide their valuable perspectives on both the booklet and video contest.

In addition to the teen-focused resources, MADD is also providing parents with information for talking with their kids about alcohol during Red Ribbon Week. The Power of Parents^® handbook, along with 30-minute parent workshops, equip parents with the tools to have frequent, positive, caring family conversations about the dangers of underage drinking.

Red Ribbon Week is a nationally-observed week during which schools and communities help raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol among youth.

For more information about Power of You(th), to download the teen booklet or to submit a video contest entry, visit www.madd.org/powerofyouth. To get the Power of Parents handbook, visit www.madd.org/powerofparents.

About State Farm

State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving^® (MADD) is the nation's largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving^® will end this danger on America's roads. PowerTalk 21^® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents^™ to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every eight minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at www.madd.org or by calling 1-877-ASK-MADD.

SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving