Hello and welcome

Welcome to the Straight Up blog! We are excited about this opportunity for teens and young adults to share their view points, opinions and experiences and to help facilitate important community dialog around the issues of underage and binge drinking and impaired driving. Read More »

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In two minutes you can make the road safer

MADD — and all concern community members — need your help!

Last week, legislation was introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives to provide financial incentives to states that require all convicted drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device.  As you know, ignition interlocks are a key component of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®.

Please click here to contact your member of Congress and ask them to tell Chairman John Mica they support his efforts on ignition interlocks. Read More »

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Losing her

Silhouette 277:365

“T” is a 16 year old Ventura County resident. Names have been changed in this true story.

Ever since my parents got a divorce when I was only five years old, I have been trying to win my mother over. She never even showed an interest in fighting for custody. I have an older sister, Carol, and a younger brother, Charles.

I used to think that my life was a mess, but now that I think about it, if my father hadn’t gotten us away from our mother it would have been much worse. Don’t get me wrong I love my mother. The thing is she was more of a best friend than a parent. Read More »

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Useful resource: What you need to know about teens & marijuana

Read More »

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Deciphering mixed messages on drinking and health — NPR discusses binge drinking

NPR’s Talk of the Nation discusses binge drinking and its dangers for youth and adults, how it impacts brain chemistry, social norms around the subject, and more. Read More »

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Important collaboration to address the issues of drugged driving

National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announced a new partnership to raise public awareness regarding the consequences of drugged driving. read more on the MADD site >>

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Group hopes gifts are as sobering as DUI statistics

From the Ventura County Star:

In an effort to reduce drunken driving and substance-related traffic accidents during the holidays, local officials hope to make people think before they pick up the car keys. Read More »

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One decade, one big leap in dangerous behavior

If you think prescription drug use is somehow “safer” than other drugs, think again. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), treatment admissions for prescription drug abuse rose 430 percent from 1999 to 2009. Read More »

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE Video Contest 2012 for ages 12-25

Make a difference
MAKE A DIFFERENCE Video Contest 2012 for ages 12-25
Grand Prize: $500
Deadline: March 9, 2012

Download: submission form | flyer

Create a short video about MAKING A DIFFERENCE – what you, your community, or your peers can do to be positive, create healthy change, and to help reduce underage and binge drinking, drug use, and impaired driving. Read More »

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More lives affected by dangerous energy drinks

The dangers of the alcohol/energy drink combo continue to affect the lives of young people. Read More »

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Helpful resource for parents – prescription drugs fact sheet

A helpful resource is available from the Partnership at DrugFree.org. How many teens are abusing prescription drugs — and why? And what can parents do to prevent this risky behavior? Find answers to these questions and more in this fact sheet.

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