[Vista, CA] For decades, April 20th, otherwise referred to as 4/20, has been known as an unofficial marijuana-smoking holiday. But for 15 years, the North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) has countered this message by sponsoring local ‘420 Remix – Celebration of Sober and Drug Free Life’ events to help prevent youth marijuana use.
Today, NCPC is announcing six winners of its annual 420 Remix PSA contest, open to middle and high school students in San Diego County:
• 1st Place image – Madison Matella, Oceanside High School
• 1st Place video – Vanessa Ramirez, Bonita Vista High School
• 2nd Place image – Kara Barragan, Bonita Vista High School
• 2nd Place video – Justice Goff, Bonita Vista High School
• 3rd Place image (early entry drawing winner) – Jonathan Ty, Sweetwater High School
• 3rd Place video – Jayden Pacheco, Bonita Vista High School
Winners were selected from 10 finalists based on a combination of online voting and NCPC member input. To view the winning entries visit: http://northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org/get-involved/2020-marijuana-prevention-psa-counter-ad-contest/The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation NCPC’s annual 420 Remix event at Boomers! in Vista, but preventing youth marijuana use has never been more important. Smoking and vaping puts people at increased risk of complications from COVID-19. One in five U.S. teens report vaping marijuana in the past year, and 17% of non-traditional students in San Diego County reported daily use of marijuana in 2019 (MPI Highlights 2020).
Marijuana business and advertising continue to expand, contributing to a decreased perception of harm by teens of using marijuana. NCPC encourages teens, parents, schools, and youth serving organizations to help spread these creative prevention messages to teens and young adults in their social circles, and continue to inform the public that use of marijuana, alcohol, tobacco or other drugs before age 21 impairs healthy brain development.
