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NMDOT News:

Here’s a sobering statistic. New Mexico is first in the nation for children who have their first alcoholic drink before the age of 13. 

And that brings all sorts of consequences, including traffic crashes, brain damage and early alcohol addiction. It’s a tough battle that we face but will continue to fight. 

Monday May 6, Gov. Susana Martinez, the State of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Transportation will unveil a new media public service campaign and a new website called MYINSTEAD. It’s the beginning of a long-term commitment to educate kids and parents on problems associated with alcohol. 

The campaign includes television commercials and the newly designed website MYINSTEAD.com. The website will teach middle and high school students about the dangers of drinking, as well as encouraging them to explore positive alternatives.

Students will be able to share the positive activities they choose to do “Instead” of drinking and be eligible to win a variety of cool prizes. 

There also is a section just for parents and teachers that is a resource guide that can be used to start talking early about the dangers of alcohol, as well as additional resources for underage drinking prevention. 

The public is invited to attend the unveiling of the MYINSTEAD campaign at 1 p.m. Monday, May 6 in the Bernalillo Middle School Auditorium.