Courageous Persuaders
According to the U.S. Department Of Health and Human Services, approximately 5,000 people die (annually) under the age of 21 as a result of alcohol consumption related accidents.
Each year in the United States, various national, state and local government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors set efforts and goals to reduce the involvement of alcohol in fatal and serious injury accidents including car crashes. Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety and Planning statistics from 2006 showed 20.3 percent of fatal and serious accidents had alcohol involved. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning has network outreach involvement with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Courageous Persuaders, which focus to teach individuals at young ages about risks involved with alcohol consumption and binge drinking.
Courageous Persuaders is a non-profit organization that began in 2000 by co-founder John Barczyk. The organization’s purpose is to allow high school students to compete in creating educational television commercials warning younger middle school students about the potential negative effects of underage drinking. Middle school viewers determine the winning commercials and the student creators are provided with scholarships. The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (a.k.a DADA) is the administrator and primary sponsor. Other notable sponsors include organizations such as: The State of Michigan, USA Today, State Farm Insurance, local Detroit television stations and Oakland County.
Courageous Persuaders History
In 2000 John Barczyk of McCann Erickson Detroit (advertising agency) teamed up with District Judge Michael A. Martone. That year they held the first Courageous Persuaders competition in Troy, Michigan.
In 2007, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) officially announced its partnership with Courageous Persuaders. The DADA is the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders program, which is facilitated through the DADA Education Foundation .
In 2008, Michigan's Secretary of State (SOS), the Honorable Terri Lynn Land officially announced the SOS's partnership with Courageous Persuaders. Top entries in the innovative Courageous Persuaders anti-drinking campaign aimed at teens will win airtime in SOS offices across Michigan. Since then, Courageous Persuaders has expanded nationwide and attracts diverse entries from all over the United States. The Michigan Department of Education and various other government and notable organization support the program and it’s growth.
External links
*