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December 23, 2003
Adults can influence young people’s decisions about drinking
and driving by monitoring their own behavior and talking to children
about how even small amounts of alcohol can impair a person's
actions.
December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, or
3D Month. This observance is a great opportunity for parents and
caregivers to focus on their roles in deterring impaired driving among
youth.
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), nearly two-thirds of children under 15 who died in
alcohol-related crashes between 1985 and 1996 were riding with drinking
drivers, two-thirds of whom were old enough to be the parent of the
child who was killed.
Other CDC statistics reveal the seriousness of impaired driving for
young people. For example, in 2002, 24 percent of drivers ages 15 to 20
who died in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol.
In support of 3D Month, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration's (SAMHSA' s) Family Guide Web site is
featuring a series of articles and resources at http://family.samhsa.gov that focus on impaired driving
and the importance of adults modeling healthy behaviors for youth.
SAMHSA developed A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy
& Drug Free and provides other resources to support parents,
family members, caregivers, teachers, and other youth mentors to help
children aged 7 to 18 make good decisions, feel safe and protected, and
have successful lives.
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For more information, contact:
Laura M. Lott
Department of Health
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@mail.health.state.hi.us
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