PA First Lady Susan Corbett Encourages Parents to Talk to Kids about Underage Drinking

GLEN MILLS, Pa., April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parents have the power to stop underage drinking by talking with their children, Pennsylvania First Lady Susan Corbett said today at Garnet Valley High School in Delaware County.

The First Lady attended the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) "Power of Parents" workshop to urge parents to talk with their children about the dangers of underage drinking. Today's event coincides with Garnet Valley High School's Junior Prom.

The effort is part of PowerTalk 21® day, a nationwide campaign aimed at getting parents and children to talk openly about underage drinking. Mrs. Corbett reinforced the important role parents play in their child's decision making.

"Research shows that parents are the number-one influence on their child's choices about alcohol, so I urge every Pennsylvania parent to use PowerTalk 21 day as an opportunity to start an ongoing conversation with their kids," said First Lady Corbett. "It could end up being a lifesaving discussion."

Mrs. Corbett was joined by David Perrino, father of Dan Perrino, a Garnet Valley student who was severely injured at age 17 in an underage drunk-driving crash in 2009. Perrino shared how underage drinking has impacted his family.

"We thank Mrs. Corbett for her commitment to help our kids grow up healthy and alcohol free," said MADD National President Jan Withers, whose 15-year-old daughter was killed by an underage drunk driver 20 years ago this week. "Teen alcohol use kills 6,000 people each year, and one of the most important things a parent can do to keep their kids safe is to start the conversation about the dangers of underage drinking."

MADD created PowerTalk 21 in response to research showing that three out of four kids say their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about drinking.  PowerTalk 21 day will be recognized nationally on April 21. For more information, visit www.madd.org/powertalk21. 

Media contacts: Kirsten Page, 717-783-1116; or Ashley Chunko, 717-787-1965

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor