FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2010	CONTACT:	Deborah Burke Henderson 508-481-3568 dbhenderson@sadd.org

SADD NIGHT AT FENWAY PARK
Teen Leaders Empower Others to Speak Up
and Stop Intexticated Driving

Marlborough, Mass. – Key adult and youth representatives from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will participate in the pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park on Tuesday evening, June 15, just prior to the Red Sox/Arizona Diamondbacks game with an important message for all.
                       
“Since 1981, SADD has made a tremendous difference in the lives of teenagers and families here in Massachusetts and across the nation,” said Stephen Wallace, SADD Chairman and CEO, “and we are committed to continuing our work empowering young people and promoting safe and healthy decision-making among youth.”  Wallace added, “With 6,000 people dying annually in car crashes due to distracted driving, our current challenge is to stamp out this dangerous behavior.”  SADD’s newest campaign, “Don’t Drive Intexticated,” will be the focal point of the pre-game ceremony message.  Wallace will be joined by Penny Wells, SADD executive director; Dr. Greg Parkinson, Chair of Injury Prevention, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; and members of the SADD National Student Leadership Council and the Massachusetts SADD Student Advisory Board.

The Massachusetts SADD Youth Program alone reaches every high school in the Commonwealth and has created a valuable network of chapters in more than 300 schools.  It serves as a source of support, inspiration, affirmation, and creativity for those students and advisors dedicated to keeping young people safe.  Massachusetts SADD has proven to be a critical statewide youth prevention resource linking students and teachers to the government agencies, law enforcement officials, and other community and nonprofit resources committed to this work. 

Recent reports indicate that the number of fatal crashes involving drivers under age 18 dropped significantly in the past three years.  This trend was traced, in part, to education.  Much of the significant information passed from teen to teen in school hallways results from the Massachusetts SADD Youth Program, which has educated more than 350,000 young people this past school year.

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