MADDSWFLnews APRIL 2018

MADDSWFLnews APRIL 2018

madd.org/southwestfl

facebook.com/MADDSWFL

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL JOSE, MADD INTERN & FGCU STUDENT

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) attended a Boston Red Sox game as the Community Corner nonprofit on March 26th. The atmosphere was electric, the smell of hot dogs and pretzels filled the air. The sold-out game was crowded with people rush- ing to take pictures, getting food, drinks and finding their seats before the game started. Entering the stadium was an impres- sive and breathtaking scene. Everyone wore their team colors— red for the Boston Red Sox and blue for the Chicago Cubs. At the game, MADD SWFL launched a Super Hero initiative that builds awareness for the different ways people can be a Super Hero in our community when it comes to ensuring our roadways are safe. This initiative was developed by Florida Gulf Coast University Volunteer Interns and graphically designed by Madailein Burke, a graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design. The Super Hero initiative includes a road map for peo- ple to discover their Super Hero identity. Each Super Hero has a unique image and character description.

More information on the Super Heroes can be found on page 3.

In This Issue

 Ignition Interlocks

 Victim Impact Panel

 2018 Events Calendar

 2018 By The Numbers

WRITTEN BY ABIGAIL JOSE, MADD INTERN & FGCU STUDENT

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) believes in prevention. The road to eliminate drunk driving begins today. A simple conversation with your child can mean safer roads for them and others. April is an extremely important month for MADD because it is Alcohol Awareness Month. As a part of Power of Parents , a program aimed to empower parents to have conver- sations about prevention of underage drinking with their kids, MADD runs an annual cam- paign called the PowerTalk21. In fact, April 21 is PowerTalk21 day. This day is meant to en- courage parents to have a conversation with their children about drunk driving and the nega- tive consequences of underage drinking. This program is aimed to start a dialogue. One that

can be hard but incredibly valuable. Parents are the leading influenc- ers when it comes to issues like underage drinking. This day is about education and empowerment of parents and kids to have open com- munication about alcohol and underage drinking. MADD knows that ‘ youth who start drinking before age 15 years are six times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse later in life than those who begin drinking at or after age 21 years old’.

Lauren Harkins, MADD Program Specialist, had the opportunity to do a live interview with WINK news on April 4. She explained the objective of the organization and what MADD plans to accomplish during Alcohol Awareness Month. She mentioned that reasons for teen alcohol use are shifting from peer pressure to being more home related. This is why PowerTalk 21 is vital to our community and the safety of our roads. To see the full-length interview visit: http://www.winknews.com .

To commemorate PowerTalk 21 Day on April 21 st and during Alcohol Awareness Month, MADD MADD is hosting Power of Parents events and workshops in Lee and Charlotte counties during the month of April.

“Underage drinking is a problem we all need to work together to resolve because it directly impacts the future of our leaders of tomorrow in our country,” said Lauren Harkins, Program Specialist at MADD SWFL. “MADD, DrugFree Punta Gorda and East Lee High School want to ensure that parents have all the right tools needed to have the important conversations with their underage children about alcohol.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR POWERTALK 21 EVENTS AND PROCLAMA- TIONS, PLEASE CONTACT LAUREN HARKINS AT 239.791.7560 OR LAU- [email protected].

MADD SWFL SUPER HEROES

COMMUNITY SUPER HERO : You’re a Super Hero because you make yourself extraordinary every day. You put the community’s health and safety before your own. Without your Super Hero efforts, the community would crumble. DESIGNATED DRIVER SUPER HERO: You’re a Super Hero be- cause you put on your designated driver cape and bring everyone to safety. Your efforts may seem simple but you’re saving lives. DESIGNATED RIDER SUPER HERO: Being a Super Hero is a lot of fun and by being a Designated Rider, you can have fun without the pressure of leading people to safety at the end of the night. By working with other Super Heroes, you are keeping yourself and the community safe. ALCOHOL FREE >21 SUPER HERO: Crime never sleeps and neither do you. By making the personal decision to remain sober after 21, you’re helping the community 24/7. Your efforts may seem small but you’re making a big difference in the local communi- ty. ALCOHOL FREE