Sometimes it just takes a word.

The right conversation between a parent and a child can be life changing – and lifesaving.

That’s what PowerTalk 21® – a day dedicated to inspiring intentional, ongoing, and possibly lifesaving conversations about alcohol between parents and their kids – is all about.

This year, PowerTalk 21® celebrates a significant milestone – the fifth anniversary of MADD’s Power of Parents program, sponsored by Nationwide. That’s five years of stressing the importance of having parent-child conversations regarding alcohol, sharing parenting strategies to help prevent underage drinking, and identifying dangerous teen drinking myths.

This year, MADD is rolling out several new components of the program.

First, they are again working with Dr. Robert Turrisi, PhD, whose groundbreaking research on teens and alcohol consumption continues to shatter drinking myths.  Based on new research from Dr. Turrisi and a nationwide public opinion survey, MADD explores why teens make the decision to ride with drinking drivers and, more importantly, how parents can help teens make a safer decision. MADD will share his recommendations and the survey results during the week of April 18th.

Here’s a sneak peek – surprisingly, one of the largest indicators of if a teen will ride with a drinking driver depends on how the teen sees his or her parents act in regards to alcohol. While many parents believe their teen’s friends have the largest influence, that’s simply not so!

Then, MADD is giving away some great prizes for signing up for their 15-minute virtual workshop or downloading a handbook. Each action a person takes will earn them an entry into drawings for an Amazon Echo, Kindle Fire HD, or gift cards for a date night!

Additionally, MADD developed an overview guide introducing parents to the resources available to them.  All of their materials are now available in Spanish as well. Download these useful resources here. 

Look for more about PowerTalk 21® as we move closer to the week of April 18th. Discover more about our Power of Parents program or download a handbook today at Madd.org/Powertalk21.

Jan Withers is the National President at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).