Irving, TX (March 15, 2004) – In conjunction with International Brain Awareness Week (March 15-19), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announces two new, fun activity guides, Brain Smarts and Fragile: Handle with Care, available to help adults teach youth about the negative impact alcohol has on the developing brain. The interactive guides are part of MADD’s comprehensive strategy to prevent underage drinking by providing adults and students research-based educational materials.

“MADD’s activity books are powerful tools to engage students, teach them new information and help limit alcohol use,” said Wendy J. Hamilton, MADD National President. “Alcohol kills more youth than all other illicit drugs combined, therefore, it’s critical that young people understand the damage alcohol can do to their developing brains and know how to protect themselves by making smart, healthy decisions.”

Brain Smarts, developed for students in grades 3-5, includes five activities that teach kids about their brains and how alcohol places their brains and bodies at risk. Verne Larsen, Safe and Drug Free Schools coordinator for the Utah State Office of Education, is implementing Brain Smarts in Utah elementary schools systemwide. “We think it’s so important to educate our students about the dangers of alcohol that we are adding Brain Smarts to supplement our Safe and Drug-Free Schools K-12 Program "Prevention Dimensions" for 3rd through 5th grades. By reaching students at an earlier age, we know these lessons can help kids grow up alcohol-free.”

Fragile: Handle with Care is designed for middle school students in grades 6 and 7. The activity guide is written for the age group that, statistically, is beginning to have experiences with alcohol. It teaches kids about who they are or want to become, along with the science behind how brains work. Both of MADD’s activity guides can be incorporated into classrooms, after-school programs, faith-based groups and community organizations.

The two booklets complement MADD’s nationally recognized Protecting You/Protecting Me (PY/PM) curriculum. It is the first and only program of its kind based on the latest scientific brain research to teach children about how alcohol effects their growing brains, as well as how to keep themselves safe from underage drinking and tips on how to stay safe if riding in the car with an impaired driver.

For more information on Brain Smarts, Fragile: Handle with Care or Protecting You/Protecting Me, contact Kappie Bliss at (512) 693-9422 or visit www.pypm.org.

MADD is the premier grassroots organization working stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD has 600 affiliates and 2 million supporters nationwide.