Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano invites high school students to enter this year’s Drug Abuse Prevention Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest – a National Red Ribbon Awareness Campaign initiative – to promote awareness of the dangers of substance abuse and of risk taking behaviors. Students are asked to create a 30 second video regarding positive alternatives to dealing with some of the common problems facing teens today.
“My administration is combatting drug abuse through education, awareness, enforcement and intervention. I ask high school principals, health teachers, film teachers, and social workers to encourage students to enter the contest and help us educate today’s young people on the dangers of drug abuse and addiction,” stated County Executive Mangano.
This year’s theme, “Respect Yourself, Be Drug Free!” was chosen to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. PSA contest entries should demonstrate in video format, a message of hope, of available resources for help, and of positive alternatives to drug abuse and other risk taking behaviors often associated with these issues:
- Bullying: Find ways to cope and deal with the stress and adversity of being bullied; Step up and do the right thing if someone you know is being bullied.
- Depression: Recognize the signs; encourage classmates to seek help if they feel sad, lonely and, or hopeless.
- Stigma: Eliminate social stigma and discrimination; let friends know that there is no shame in experiencing a mental health issue or a substance use problem. It’s ok to talk about it.
- Destructive Decisions: Risk-taking behaviors; what positive actions can we take instead?
Prizes will be awarded to the winning entry, in each of the four categories, at a Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, April 7, 2016 in the Ceremonial Chambers of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. Students are invited to bring family members and guests to the ceremony.
Multiple entries from the same school or district, either by an individual or group will be accepted. All PSA’s become the property of Nassau County upon submission and may be reproduced for publication. PSA entries can be submitted on a CD or sent electronically. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 11, 2016.
Please visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/drugpsa to view the winning PSA’s from 2013 and 2014, download a contest registration form, and review the rules for this year’s contest.
If you are interested in participating in the contest, please contact Paula Pontrelli at (516) 227-7038 or Paula.Pontrelli@hhsnassaucountyny.us
