A Mother's Story

"Don't drink and drive." This advice is usually given to teens by responsible North Dakota parents.

Parents have been telling their kids for years to not drink and drive. Kids usually know the consequences involved when someone, particularly someone under the legal age of 21, chooses to drive impaired and gets caught - cut from the team, suspended license, court fees, increased insurance rates, angry parents and more.

This was the same piece of advice Anne Buchanan shared with her son, Jason, the night of his 21st birthday. "Be careful, Jason," she said. "Don't worry, Mom," he retorted. "My friends will look out for me." Little did they know that on that fateful night, it wouldn't be drinking and driving that would lead to tragedy.

Jason and Anne's story took a
different twist

After celebrating "Power Hour" with his friends, Jason went back to his fraternity house to "sleep it off." During the course of the night, his body tried to rid itself of the alcohol he had over consumed. Jason succumbed to alcohol poisoning. Anne's son died March 15, 2004.

In the back of her mind, Anne, like other North Dakota parents, knew that too much alcohol could kill. But, she didn't know the warning signs for alcohol poisoning; much less did she educate her son about the signs. That's all changing now.

In an effort to prevent similar tragedies, Anne has joined forces with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Traffic Safety Office to educate parents on the dangers and consequences of underage drinking, warning signs and proper reaction to over-consumption and alcohol poisoning. She is the official spokesperson for the "Parents LEAD Program - Listen, Educate and Discuss Alcohol with Your Kids."

Parents LEAD

The Parents LEAD Program offers resources for parents to initiate discussion with kids about underage drinking and alcohol poisoning the laws, warning signs and common misperceptions relating to alcohol.

Buchanan says the program is particularly timely and critical in North Dakota, as our state ranks among the highest in the nation for binge drinking.

"If a friend came home from a restaurant and began vomiting because of food poisoning, friends would do whatever they could to help that person. When someone comes home from a night of over consuming alcohol, many times people just laugh and let them sleep it off," said Buchanan. "This can be a fatal mistake. I believe that parents are responsible. This program can provide parents with facts and resources. With this information, I believe, we can change the accepting culture of alcohol over-consumption and save kids' lives," said Buchanan.

One Parent's Victory...

During the 2005 North Dakota Legislative Session, Anne, along with several others in the prevention field worked hard to outlaw "Power Hours."

Now, in North Dakota you are not considered of legal drinking age until 8:00 a.m. of your 21st birthday. Previously, you were of legal drinking age at midnight on your 21st birthday. Thus, celebrants would consume as much alcohol as possible during the first hour of their 21st birthday - a ritual also known as "Power Hour."