Local coalition launches annual contest for middle and high school students – “Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s safe”

Vista CA— The North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) has launched its annual ‘420 Remix’ PSA contest open to all middle and high school students in San Diego County. This year’s theme – Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s safe – instructs teens to create an audio, video or digital counter-ad message to challenge industry claims that marijuana is a ‘natural, harmless, theraputic’ substance (Find facts re: marijuana and adolescents here).
Teen vaping increased 900% between 2011-2015, and nearly 1 in 11 U.S. students have used vaping devices for marijuana (JAMA Pediatrics, 2018). The ‘success’ of JUUL in target-marketing their products to hook teens on nicotine illustrates the power of advertising.
As retail marijuana business and advertising expands throughout San Diego County, NCPC hopes this contest helps youth think about how teens are impacted by marketing, and encourages them to use their creativity to create ads steering their peers away from marijuana use.
Contest entries must be received by Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Finalists will go through an online public voting process, and winners will be selected and judged by a panel of NCPC’s board and members. First place winner may receive up to $250 cash. Winners will be featured on NCPC’s website, at NCPC’s annual ‘420 Remix – Celebration of Sober and Drug Free Life Choices’ event held at Boomers in Vista April 20, and in local media outlets as funding permits.
For more information about the rules and details of the contest please visit http://northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org/ under the “Get Involved” tab.