Campaign Launches New Initiative Urging Teens to Steer Clear of Pot
New Free Materials Address Driving Risks Associated with Marijuana

At age 16, when most teens begin driving, their risk for using marijuana increases. Many of these new drivers are unaware that marijuana can seriously impair concentration, perception, coordination, and reaction time - skills required for safe driving. Approximately one in six high school seniors in the U.S. admitted driving under the influence of marijuana and in 2001 an estimated 38,000 of these students reported crashing while driving impaired by the drug.

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has partnered with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), GEICO, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and other driving-safety leaders to offer several free resources for parents and youth to help keep teens marijuana and drug free, before they get behind the wheel of a car.

The following FREE materials are available:

• "Teach Teens to Steer Clear of Pot" Car Glove Box Card
  This card for teens contains messages about the risks of marijuana-impaired driving, resources for teens and a space on the back for emergency contact numbers. The card can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document AVD173). The card can be downloaded at www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear/kit.asp.
• "Can I Borrow the Car?"
  This informative brochure for parents of new teen drivers was developed by GEICO and the Media Campaign and provides tips on how to encourage drug-free driving. The brochure can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document PHD1030). The brochure can be downloaded at www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear/kit.asp.
• "Top 10 Tips For Teen Drivers"
  This collection of safe driving tips was developed by GEICO and the Media Campaign to help teens become responsible, drug-free drivers. A copy of the tips can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document MS933). Tips can be downloaded at www.Freevibe.com.
• "Steer Clear of Pot" Teen Postcard
  This postcard for teens highlights the harmful effects of marijuana and how the drug impairs judgment, reaction time and other driving abilities. Postcards can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document AVD172). The postcard can be downloaded at
  www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear/kit.asp or www.Freevibe.com.
• "Steer Clear of Pot" Teen Poster
  This poster for teens features the dangers of drugged driving. It can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document AVD174) or downloaded at www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear/kit.asp or www.Freevibe.com.
• "Wake Up to the Risks of Marijuana: A Guide for Parents"
  This brochure offers parents information and tips about talking with kids about marijuana. It can be ordered through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800 (ask for document PHD956). The brochure can be downloaded at www.MediaCampaign.org/Marijuana/Talk_Brochure.pdf.
• Media Campaign Web Sites
  Additional online resources, including new marijuana information, are available on the Media Campaign's Web site for parents, www.TheAntiDrug.com, and for youth at www.Freevibe.com.

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