Mangano Extends Deadline For High School Drug Abuse Prevention PSA Contest

LongIsland.com

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today extended the deadline for students to enter Nassau County’s Drug Abuse Prevention PSA Contest.

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Nassau County, NY - March 2nd, 2016 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today extended the deadline, by two weeks, for high school students to enter Nassau County’s Drug Abuse Prevention Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest. The new deadline for submissions is Friday, March 25, 2016.

County Executive Mangano stated, “I urge high school principals, teachers and social workers to encourage students to enter Nassau County’s Drug Abuse Prevention Public Service Announcement Contest and collectively help us educate today’s young people on the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.”

Winner of Last Year's Nassau County’s Drug Abuse Prevention PSA Contest.

The Drug Abuse Prevention PSA Contest is coordinated in conjunction with the National Red Ribbon Awareness Campaign initiative and its current theme, “Respect Yourself, Be Drug Free!”

PSA contest entries must demonstrate, in video format, awareness of the dangers of substance abuse and of other risk taking behaviors.

The 30-second video should suggest available resources for help, and positive alternatives to drug use when dealing with some of the common problems facing teens today. Theme choices for submissions this year are:

  • Bullying: Find positive 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 Wednesday, April 20, 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 DVD, zip drive or electronically. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 25, 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.