Drunk driving crash victims, both injured persons and those who have lost a loved one have always been at the heart of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD was founded in 1980 after a 13 year old California girl's death was caused by a repeat DUI (driving under the influence) offender. Her mother started this most successful of grassroots movements out of her own personal loss, and a significant number of chapters have been similarly begun. Many others continue to be energized by individual experiences turned into activism for the public good.

The Macomb County Chapter of MADD was started on both premises. One was an injured victim frustrated by the lack of services and support for victims in Macomb County, and the other a police officer disturbed by the inconsistency in the prosecution of drunk drivers. MADD was established in Michigan in 1982. The Macomb County Chapter was chartered in July of 1993. In September 1994 due to the pressing needs of drunk driving victims, an office was opened and a director was hired. Since it's inception MADD has had the overriding goal of providing drunk driving victims with emotional, informational and advocacy support. MADD has accomplished this first through volunteers, then later with the addition of staff to provide professionalism, continuity, and stability for victim services.

MADD, Macomb County is governed by MADD, National's by-laws and Articles of Incorporation. However, the chapter is responsible for the majority of funding and carrying out all projects, public awareness campaigns and victim advocacy services. All the money raised by the chapter is utilized solely for the benefit of local programs.