For 15 years, the North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) has promoted alternatives to youth to counter the message that April 20th is the unofficial holiday to smoke weed. As cultural norms surrounding marijuana continue to change, it’s more important than ever that young people get a clear message that marijuana use is harmful to developing brains.
NCPC’s annual 420 Remix PSA contest creates opportunities for young people to create such messages for their peers. The annual ‘420 Remix – Celebration of Sober and Drug Free Life’ highlights why it is important for youth and teens to make the choice be sober and drug free.
This year, NCPC has partnered with the San Diego District Attorney and their Instagram campaign @smokingisnotcoping to promote this year’s 420 Remix PSA contest. Preventing marijuana use among youth is more important now than ever. Increases in adolescent marijuana vaping from 2018 to 2019 ranked among the largest single-year increases ever observed by Monitoring the Future in the past 45 years among all outcomes ever measured (Monitoring the Future, 2019). As the challenges of COVID-19 and teen isolation continue, creative outlets and activities can play a role in keeping them away from substance use.
The marijuana prevention PSA contest is open to all middle and high school students in San Diego county.
Students are instructed to create an image, video or audio to address this year’s contest theme “Smoking is NOT Coping”. While the theme is ‘smoking is not coping,’ students are encouraged to address preventing youth use of any forms of marijuana including vaping, edibles, or smoking.
Winner’s have the opportunity to win up to $250 in cash and a letter of recognition from the San Diego County District Attorney’s office. To receive updates about the contest please follow the Instagram page @smokingisnotcoping, or check https://northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org/get-involved/2021-psa-contest/. Students can submit their entries either through the Instagram page or email their entries to smokingisnotcoping@gmail.com with a copy of their release and permission forms.
For contest rules and release forms please visit: http://northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org/ under the “Get Involved” tab
About the North Coastal Prevention Coalition
The North Coastal Prevention Coalition aims to reduce the harm of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs in the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista through community action, education, support and collaboration. Funded in part by the County of San Diego, HHSA, Behavioral Health Services, with a contract to Vista Community Clinic. Visit www.northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org
