Contest asks students to ‘Influence the Choice’

The Issaquah Community Network and Drug Free Community Coalition are inviting 6th- through 12th-grade students to create short video commercials telling their friends how to resist alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug temptations.

 

The Issaquah Community Network and Drug Free Community Coalition are inviting 6th- through 12th-grade students to create short video commercials telling their friends how to resist alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug temptations.

“Almost every student is faced with a choice about alcohol or drugs during their school years,” said Dianne Bugge, Network vice-chair and co-chair for the “Influence the Choice” video contest. “We think the best way to address this situation is to get young people talking to young people, and video is a great venue for starting the dialogue.”

Contest sponsors are asking for video “commercials” two minutes in length or less to be submitted before the deadline of Feb. 28. A grand prize of $800 will be awarded to the best video. Other prizes include first, second and third prizes of $100, $75 and $50 in the categories of “Most Influential Alcohol Video,” “Most Influential Marijuana Video,” and “Most Influential Prescription Drug Video.”

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Videos will be offered to middle and high schools for play on their in-school TV stations. They will also be offered to the cities of Sammamish and Issaquah for play on municipal stations.

Further recognition will be offered during a video viewing party scheduled for April 2013.

Contest sponsors are also asking students to include at least one drug-related fact from a variety of specified websites.

“Increased access to alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs in Washington state is a big concern for the Network and the Coalition,” said Judy Brewer, network board chair. “Alcohol is now available at local grocery stores, the recent legalization of marijuana will present new challenges, and Washington state already has one of the highest rates of death attributable to prescription drugs.  Our kids need to be armed with facts and sensible arguments about why these substances are not a wise choice during adolescence.”

A flyer with complete details, entry requirements and an entry form can be downloaded. Questions can be directed to Dianne Bugge or Caryn Cissna at icnvideocontest@gmail.com.