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With the 2008 prom season just around the corner, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (Nationwide), ask students to pledge to be alcohol and drug free during prom and year round.

THINK.Prom, part of the THINK. year-round, alcohol-use prevention program launched by MADD and Nationwide in 2006 empowers students to pledge to be alcohol and drug free all year in schools across the country.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/MADD/31903/

“Underage drinking is a prelude to drunk driving,” said Glynn Birch MADD national president. “Research shows that the earlier youth drink, the more likely they are to be alcohol dependent and drive drunk. Students who sign the THINK.Prom pledge show their commitment to staying healthy and alcohol free.”

Alcohol is the No. 1 drug problem among youth, killing more young people than all other illicit drugs combined. In 2005, 2,035 15-20 year olds were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes. Of those, 1,387 youth aged 15-20 died in crashes involving a 15-20 year old alcohol-impaired driver.

When students sign the pledge they are pledging to “live, laugh, have an unimaginable great life, not use alcohol until 21, and never drink and drive.” Tips for students on this special night include: being true to yourself by celebrating prom safely without alcohol; choosing your chauffer carefully; rehearsing your reply for someone who offers you alcohol; remembering that the most important accessory on prom night is your seat belt; and being organized by making all plans with friends in advance.

“One of the most important steps in keeping youth safe is helping adults talk with their teens about the dangers of alcohol consumption and driving while under the influence,” said Bill Windsor, Nationwide associate vice president of Safety.

Tips for parents include: setting clear rules and consequences for underage drinking every day and making sure to monitor your child’s activities; if renting a limo, parents and passengers should sign a contract allowing the driver to phone parents if alcohol is detected; insisting that only registered passengers be allowed transportation; acknowledging that the choice to be alcohol and drug free isn’t always easy; and never providing anyone alcohol if they are under the legal drinking age of 21. Adults can be liable for providing alcohol to minors in many states. To learn more about social host laws, visit http://www.madd.org/socialhost.

High school students can also show their support to staying sober by entering the second annual THINK.Prom Video Scrapbook Contest. Students have until April 18, 2008 to submit a video focusing on having an alcohol and drug free prom experience. The winning student will receive a $500 award and the student’s school will receive a $1,000 award from Nationwide. For video contest or materials, visit think.madd.org.

To download the broadcast quality B-roll, please go to http://www.madd.org or call (800) GET-MADD.

About Nationwide

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a diversified insurance and financial services organization, with more than $158 billion in assets. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services. (http://www.nationwide.com)

Nationwide, the Nationwide framemark, and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

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