MADD Fights Battle Against Underage Drinking
By John Ostapkovich
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving has some good news to pass along.
Their campaign against underage drinking is making inroads, says MADD's national president Jan Withers.
"The key findings of this survey show that three out of four teens, 77% surveyed, say they do not drink alcohol. We are really happy that this positive message is getting out," Withers said.
Withers says the survey's margin of error was plus or minus three percent so she's confident the kids were not simply saying what MADD wants to hear.
The major reasons for not drinking included it's illegal, and they've seen what alcohol does to those who use it. Still, Withers is hardly declaring victory.
Withers says, "even though this is positive news, the reality shows that 4,700 people still die every year as a result of underage drinking which is more than all other illegal drugs combined."
Withers says parents set an important tone in keeping their kids from drinking.
