CONTACT: Misty Moyse, (214) 744-6233 x4558

Irving, Texas (April 26, 2004) - From national leadership to local chapters, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is showing up in elementary schools nationwide in support of the Reach Out Now National Teach-In initiative, organized annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to educate 5th and 6th graders about the dangers of underage alcohol use.

Fifth graders in a classroom in Saratoga Springs, New York, will welcome MADD's National President Wendy Hamilton today, as she joins them to talk about alcohol and its impact on the growing brain. Fifth graders in Fallbrook, California, will hear from MADD's National Chairman of the Board, Cynthia Roark, tomorrow as she encourages students make smart choices about alcohol in support of SAMHSA's program. MADD chapters around the country are also participating by organizing teach-in events in their local communities.

"MADD applauds schools committed to educating students about the dangers of alcohol and rewards of making healthy decisions," said Hamilton. "Alcohol is the No. 1 drug problem of our nation's youth. We must protect our children and empower them with knowledge."

SAMHSA's one-day "teach-in" encourages teachers, parents and students to talk about the underage drinking problem. In three lessons, students learn the effects of alcohol, the importance of youth making healthy decisions, and how good communication skills can help them share this knowledge with others in their community.

MADD hopes schools commit to ongoing efforts to address underage drinking by implementing its research-based elementary curriculum Protecting You/Protecting Me, a SAMHSA "Model Program." Based on the latest brain science, the program focuses on alcohol use prevention for grades 1-5. Lessons include the effects of alcohol on the developing brain, where to sit in the car if riding with a drunk driver and the truth about alcohol advertising.

"With young people starting to drink alcohol as young as 12 or 13 years old, we have to engage them at younger ages before they are faced with that first drink. It's so important that teachers, parents and other caregivers give a clear and consistent message about staying alcohol free," said Roark.

For more information on Protecting You/Protecting Me, contact Judy Mead at 1-800-GET-MADD x4501 or visit www.pypm.org.

MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Founded in 1980, MADD has approximately 2 million members and 600 affiliates in the U.S. For information, call your local chapter or visit www.madd.org.