The statistic is chilling. More than 2,000 teens are killed every year in alcohol-related crashes. Grieving parents, siblings, teachers, and friends are left wondering if they could have done anything that would have kept those kids alive.

Our funeral home is happy to sponsor a new program designed to encourage students to make positive, life-saving choices about alcohol use and driving.

Called Positive Choices, this program combines information, technology and incentives to encourage students to say no to alcohol, especially when they will be driving or getting into a car driven by a friend.

The program is simple. Students and parents can visit www.positive-choices.org and sign the Positive Promise.

Every student who signs the online Positive Promise is eligible to receive one of five $2,000 college scholarships to be awarded in May 2010. By signing the Parent’s Promise, you double your child’s chances to win—and you are given a valuable opportunity to talk with him or her about the dangers of alcohol and drunk driving.

The site also features a quiz and interactive simulation of “driving” under the influence of alcohol. (This website contains no advertising and is focused solely on encouraging students not to drink and drive.)