Mom to Parents: Talk to Teens About Drinking
Son was one of three killed by drunken driver in a crash last year.
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Carolyn Hoover of Derwood has a message for parents of teenagers: Don’t give up talking to them about underage drinking.
At a press conference covered by Capital News Service, Hoover said: “I think about it all the time. I used to have three boys. Now I have two. It breaks my heart.”
Hoover’s son John, 20, died in a crash in Olney after getting in a car with a drunken driver in May 2011. The driver, who fled the scene immediately after the crash, was caught and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The crash also killed two Magruder High School seniors.
The press conference, at the National Press Club on Tuesday, was sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving to promote PowerTalk 21 day, Saturday, the national day for parents to communicate the dangers of alcohol abuse to their children.
The CNS report says Hoover plans to continue working with MADD, even though she's sitll in grief.
“I hope to spread the message,” she said. “Don’t let this happen to you or your family.”
Jeff Hawkins
2:05 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sad & tragic story indeed. Not sure what the answer is to all of this other than the obvious.......don't drink and drive.
I wonder if technology will someday not permit a "drunk" driver to start the car? Could that help?
Lost alot of friends over the years involved with this stuff and it never makes sense at all.........what a waste. I hope Ms. Hoover can find peace......
Valerie Mayer
1:02 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
When parents host teen parties and serve alcohol at those parties, they are essentially telling their teens and other teens that it's ok to drink, as long as adults are supervising. WRONG MESSAGE! Many students are wearing the "Happiness is" tee shirts. On the back the shirts read "Don't drink and drive"...they should simply read "Don't drink".