Washington, DC —  District of Columbia Attorney General Robert Spagnoletti and The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, brought a life-saving lesson about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving to students at Sidwell Friends School today. To highlight the back to school season, Attorney General Spagnoletti welcomed Brandon Silveria, a young man who was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before his high school prom, and his father, Tony, who spoke to students about the importance of “making the right choice” about alcohol.

“I am so pleased that Brandon and Tony Silveria could visit DC this year, particularly at the beginning of the school year,” said Attorney General Spagnoletti. “Parents, teachers, elected officials, student leaders - we all need to work harder and work together to keep teens alcohol-free and save lives this year.”

“The good news is that over the past 20 years, the number of underage drinkers has decreased. For example, underage drinking among high school seniors has declined 29% proportionally from 70% in 1982 to 50% in 2001, according to government surveys. More work needs to be
done, which is why I’m pleased Attorney General Spagnoletti invited us to give two presentations this week — one to parents and one to teens,” said Susan Molinari, Chairman of The Century Council.

During the program, Silveria told students his wrenching story of how as a high school student he had everything a teenager could want — a job, girlfriend and plans for the future — until he had a few drinks at a party and chose to drive home. After falling asleep at the wheel, crossing the centerline and crashing into a tree, Brandon was left in a coma for three months and spent several years in rehabilitation. Silveria was so badly injured that basic motor functions such as walking, talking and swallowing had to be re-learned. He has permanent brain injury and suffers from dangerous seizures. Brandon’s presentations continue to receive standing ovations from students across the country.

“What you become depends on the choices that you make,” said Brandon Silveria. “When I was seventeen, I had a job and a girlfriend. Because of my crash, I lost both of them. My hope is that by sharing my experiences with other young people, I can prevent others from being hurt or killed.”

Through educational efforts such as the Silveria lecture and video program, The Century Council educates students across the country about the hazards of underage drinking and driving. Since Brandon and his father Tony have become spokespeople for The Century Council, they have addressed well over one million high school students nationwide and have been featured on such television programs as “Rescue 911,” NBC’s “Today,” and “Leeza.”

To request a free copy of “Brandon Tells His Story” or for more information on the Silveria program call (800) 431-4499. The 30-minute video, which won an award from the American Medical Association, is accompanied by supporting curriculum materials and can be used with large or small groups of teens.