Dear [name or title],

Proms and graduations are two important and exciting rites of passage for young people and our community. It's a time to celebrate achievements, reflect on the past and take the first steps into adulthood. Unfortunately, many teenagers believe the deadly mix of alcohol and driving is also a rite of passage.

Every spring, local papers across the country carry tragic stories about local kids whose celebrations turn deadly. That's why I'm asking for your support and participation in the campaign. The campaign was developed by young people to promote education among their peers about the dangers of underage drinking as well as impaired driving.

The message and the facts are startling: Nearly every 33 minutes, someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash, (16,000 deaths last year); every 2 minutes, someone is injured (305,000 injuries last year); an average of 3 in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.

Young people are at much higher risk from impaired driving than the general population.

Although many people still think drinking is a rite of passage, drinking often keeps teenagers from ever reaching adulthood. Last year, approximately 2,000 young people, ages15-20, died in alcohol-related crashes. During a typical weekend, an average of one teenager dies each hour in a car crash. And many died from alcohol overdoses, a number of them were put to bed by friends "to sleep it off," only to never wake up.

You can help us convey these vital messages:

• Deaths from alcohol-related crashes are predictable and preventable - they are not accidents.
• Impaired driving is a choice - and a crime.

I would like to discuss with you ways you can directly participate in the campaign and ensure the safety of your students and your community during this special time. [Insert here your proposed local event.] Your school may be one of many that have already started planning and conducting zero tolerance activities. Many schools have clubs, such as Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), or peer helpers, that make it their mission to help fight the problem of underage drinking and impaired driving. If your school already has such a club, there's no better time to get involved in the national effort.

If zero tolerance activities are new to your school or neighborhood, you can receive a campaign activity kit from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The kit provides ideas and ready-to-use tools to assist you in planning your activities. It was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS). Please call me [phone] and I will provide ordering information.

The campaign is a great opportunity to prevent our community from experiencing the tragedy and pain resulting from impaired driving crashes. Unfortunately, all too many times there are no second chances when it comes to underage drinking and impaired driving. Please join us as we all work together to ensure a safe and joyous end of school year.

[Insert sentence about what contact information.]

Sincerely,

[name, title]