The Hazelden Foundation and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are joining forces to promote use of the Protecting You/Protecting Me child alcohol-prevention curriculum, the two groups announced this week.

The adult-led curriculum, aimed at teaching children in grades 1-5 about the impact of alcohol on the brain and the dangers of driving with someone who has used alcohol, consists of 40 lessons on topics like alcohol laws, dealing with peer pressure, and good decision-making.

"Research shows that the risk for alcohol and other drugs skyrockets when children enter the 6th grade, between the ages of 12 and 13," said Hazelden's Kris Van Hoof-Haines. "To prevent alcohol use by teenagers, we must reach out and educate children before they have fully shaped their attitudes and opinions about alcohol use."

Protecting You/Protecting Me was developed in 1998 and has been cited by federal officials as a model prevention program. Glynn Birch, MADD's national president, said research has proven the program effective.

"We know that students who've received the curriculum have increased knowledge of the effects of alcohol on the developing brain, increased perceptions of the potential harm of alcohol use, and increased intentions not to drink alcohol underage in the future," she said. "This education helps students make smart, healthy decisions about alcohol to help keep them safe."