Press Release

ST. LOUIS, MO — 

The Century Council brought
a life-saving lesson about the dangers of drunk driving and underage
drinking to students of the Whitfield School today. Brandon Silveria
and his father Tony spoke to students about the importance of "making
the right choice" about alcohol - and if students are under the age of
21, the only responsible decision is not to drink. Brandon is a young
man who was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before
his high school prom. The Century Council is a national not-for-profit
organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving
and underage drinking.

"The most recent statistics available show that in 2006 there were
500 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Missouri, 98 of these deaths
were among youth under 21 (NHTSA 2006). One death is one too many,"
said Shannon Adams of The Century Council. "Also in Missouri 655 youths
under age 18 were arrested for driving under the influence and 2,842
youths were arrested for liquor law violations (UCR 2006). We must do
more to keep the teens of Missouri safe and alcohol-free. Our goal with
this presentation is to raise awareness about this serious problem, and
by doing so, save lives in Missouri. I'm pleased we were invited to
Whitfield School today, and I am hopeful that Brandon and Tony's words
will resonate with the students."

During the presentation, Brandon Silveria told students his
wrenching story of how as a high school student he had everything a
teenager could want - a job, a 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, he was left in a coma for three months and spent several years
in rehabilitation. Brandon 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. "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 two million high school students nationwide and
have been featured on such television programs as "Rescue 911," NBC's
"Today," as well as media outlets across the country.

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.

The Century Council is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting
drunk driving and underage drinking. Founded in 1991, The Council is funded by distillers.
For more information on The Council and its mission, please log onto www.centurycouncil.org.