SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -The numbers are sobering: 69 South Dakota teens have died and 950 have been injured in alcohol-related car crashes since 2006
Darcy Jensen with the Parents Matter Underage Drinking Campaign encourages parents to have the talk with their children as prom and graduation seasons approach.
Jensen says parenting is a 24 hour job with struggles and rewards. But she says there are also those times when parents must talk with their teenagers about underage drinking and driving, to talk about the obvious and hidden consequences.
Jensen says Prairie View Prevention Services has partnered with school administrators across the state to distribute the Parents Matter campaign materials. Jensen calls them the toolbox for parents to help them with "The Talk."
During April, South Dakota schools reach out to parents to help them talk to their kids through the "Parents Matter Campaign."