Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer March 2024 St. Patty’s Safety March Madness Kelly shares about the consequences of the heavy drinking that occurs on holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. With the tournament on the horizon, Ben takes a look into the dangers of binge drinking that happens at sports events.
Leadership Myth
Guest writer Annabelle debunks myths around leadership while sharing ways youth can develop their own style.
1 by Kelly Halliburton, MADD Teen Influencer Many people refer to March as a lucky month. This is likely due to the phenomenon of St. Patrick’s Day, which incorporates themes of fortune and abundance. However, it is more than luck that gives March its unique qualities since it’s also the time when winter ends and allows for spring cleaning. Despite the holiday’s illusions, March is not always lucky for everyone. Certainly not for drunk driving victims who passed away due to reckless behaviors in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Is March Truly Lucky? Safety During St. Patrick’s Day It is traditional for people to sip away on beers and alcoholic beverages throughout several nations during this holiday. While the consumption of alcohol is permitted for those who meet legal requirements, it can also spiral out of control, causing mass tragedies People cannot rely on luck to keep them safe while intoxicated on the roads, no matter how much they overestimate their capabilities. As a result, people who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day should practice safe drinking habits and implement protective measures. Those who intend to drink
MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
alcohol should drink in moderation, staying aware of their limits and any symptoms. Drinkers need to find a safe way to get home. For example, a person should join a carpool with a sober driver before the March celebrations. Safety is a top priority since one cannot trust luck with impaired driving. Risking lives for the sake of holidays is never worth it. .
Another issue that occurs during the time of St. Patrick’s Day is underage access to beer and other alcoholic beverages. Since many families allow their teenagers to accompany them to festivities, there is an increased chance that minors will consume alcohol “for special occasions only.” Some parents may not realize that underage drinking can lead to harmful habits in their children’s futures. Early or unrestricted access to alcohol can increase the risk of developing lifelong addictions. To protect
their youth’s well-being, a parent should completely forbid alcohol year-round. The holidays should not be exceptions to violate laws and put minors at risk of dangerous health effects. It is significant to note the progress that Mothers Against Drunk Driving has made to protect people during Saint Patrick’s Day. The organization has raised awareness about legal drinking practices and safety guidelines using social media. On an annual basis, MADD works closely with advocates and victims’ families to stop fatal accidents from occurring on the roads. MADD Teen Influencers and their parents continue to impact the community through educational programs and student initiatives. You can join the action by visiting the official website today. Please help us save lives and serve victims across the nation! MADD acknowledges the cultural significance of St. Patrick’s Day and its customs. However, advocates strongly urge the public to avoid driving while intoxicated and to limit minors’ access to alcohol during these times. After all, celebrating without the risk of death and tragedy is the luckiest phenomenon.
MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
The NCAA’s March Madness is an exciting and celebratory time for fans of college basketball, but along with the excitement comes the likelihood of excessive alcohol consumption especially among college students. Binge drinking is a common occurrence at most large sporting events. However, when it comes to March Madness, binge drinking can be a significant problem. So much so, the NCAA has created a March Madness toolkit with Alcohol & Basketball: The Real March Madness 2
by Ben Haworth, MADD Teen Influencer
ideas to help reduce alcohol consumption during the tournament. Some of these strategies include generating guidelines that regulate alcohol sales during the event and enforcing existing laws regarding public intoxication and underage drinking. In addition, the NCAA has increased educational resources to make students more aware of what responsible consumption should look like as well as substituting alcohol with healthier substitutions such as non- alcoholic refreshments. Despite the push for awareness and the good intentions of the NCAA, all it takes is one internet search for March Madness and you will find publications from major newspapers to Instagram influencers promoting drinking games to help fans “survive” the tournament. These games all involve alcohol and
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MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
consist of consuming a shot or sip every time a player makes a free throw or sees a college mascot during the game. Binge drinking and alcohol consumption continue to be primary concerns on college campuses nationwide as peer and social pressures influence collegiates to participate. In a recent report by the Washington Post, the news source discovered that over sixty percent of mostly male students whose college had participated in the March Madness tournament consumed nearly triple the amount of alcohol over a two-week time period compared to a college that did not play in the tournament.
While the CDC affirms that binge drinking is one of the most common and harmful types of alcohol abuse in our country, it seems to be promoted and even encouraged during collegiate games. As a society, it is time to find and foster new traditions to celebrate and show appreciation for collegiate sporting events. Until then, all we can do as a society is strengthen awareness about impaired driving after these types of events take place. A crucial
element to remember, whether watching the March Madness games at home or attending in person, is knowing your limits and being responsible if consuming alcohol. Most importantly, after the game it is essential to plan to have a
designated driver or another type of reliable transportation to ensure no one drives home impaired. Every year, March Madness gives us some of the best basketball in the country, but the celebrations should never cost someone their health, their future, or their lives. Check out our new MADD Sports initiative to tackle impaired driving through the power of athletes! Click the image to learn more.
MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
Regarding Leadership 3
Debunking Common Misperceptions
by Annabelle Aceituno, Guest Contributor
In a world where life will throw many challenges at you, having the ability to lead with the end in mind is a crucial skill to learn. However, the word “leadership” can be very intimidating or overwhelming for many because of misconceptions that cloud our view of how an effective leader behaves. It takes time, practice, and experience to become a great youth leader for your community, so this article dives into clearing up the common misconceptions, so you can begin your youth leadership journey with a clear focus. Leader vs Boss A supportive leader is not a boss.
Leaders do not have any more power than any one of their other peers, they just decide to use their power and voice to inspire others. Bosses simply delegate their tasks to others with one-way communication. Leaders work with their team and strategize tasks with the overall end goal in mind.
The Right Way There is not only one right way to lead. Being yourself is the best way you can start your leadership journey. Finding your strengths and weaknesses will help you learn in what capacity you thrive. Great leaders come with experience, so the more you practice how to share your voice, the stronger and louder that voice will become. Implore and broaden your leadership potential, see guidance from those you view as a leader in your life, and research how you can be that positive impact you want to see in your community. Teaching Leadership Leaders are not born as leaders. Leadership is a teachable skill that anyone of any age and background can learn when taught the proper principles to apply. Exploring opportunities, such as MADD’s Power of You(th), is a great way to find experiences that will help you practice your leadership in different settings.
MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
Forms of Love Wyatt Armitage, MADD Teen Influencer 4
In the labyrinth of feelings, where shadows reside, Deep emotions awaken, a turbulent tide. Love, a force that weaves through every space, In its myriad forms, a powerful embrace.
A mother's love, an eternal flame, Igniting hearts, no need for a name. In cradled arms, a sanctuary found, A bond unbroken, forever bound. Friendship, a tapestry of colors untold,
Through laughter and tears, a connection to hold. In the garden of companionship, blooms so rare, Love's tendrils weaving through the air. Romantic love, a dance of hearts entwined, Passion's fire, a connection defined. Two souls converging, a cosmic force, Love's language spoken, with no remorse. Self-love, a journey within, Embracing flaws, letting healing begin. In the mirror's gaze, acceptance unfolds, A love profound, as the story molds. Unconditional love, a beacon so bright, Illuminating even the darkest night. In its vast spectrum, a kaleidoscope, Love's power, a boundless scope. Through joy and sorrow, in life's grand scheme, Love stands resilient, a recurring theme. For in its essence, a force to mend, A powerful elixir, on which we depend. So let the deepest emotions unfurl, In the vast canvas of life, love's swirl. A symphony of hearts, a dance so divine, In love's kaleidoscope, emotions intertwine.
MADD Teen Influencer
March 2024
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) seeks to inspire a dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth to improve prevention and awareness of substance misuse in communities. Participation in NDAFW can have a personal connection, and each person’s motivation and story is unique.
Use your authentic voice to share your “why” or motivation for sharing thoughts about drug use prevention and positive mental health. Why do these issues matter to you? What do these topics mean to you personally and/or to your community? Post using #MyWhyNDAFW and tag @MADDCalifornia. For more tips on creating your video, click here.
Nominate an Influencer of the Month! Do you know an influential teen who is a great role model? We would love to spotlight them! Click on the icon to the left or use the link below to share why they should be MADD's Influencer of the Month!
TINYURL.COM/MADDIOTM
MADD's mission is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage drinking, these teens will help MADD end drunk driving.
@MADDCalifornia
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