Harrisburg — Middle and high school students can help find solutions to the growing heroin and opioid epidemic facing the state by producing a video aimed at focusing greater awareness on the crisis, State Senator John DiSanto (R-15) said today.
“Talk to Your State Senator,” a statewide video competition sponsored by the Senate of Pennsylvania with support from members of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Association of PA, aims to get students involved in legislative efforts to fight heroin and opioid abuse. Students are encouraged to submit video entries of no longer than five minutes that highlight ways to combat abuse, help those who suffer from addiction and develop laws to address the current crisis.
“The number of lives destroyed by this epidemic is unprecedented, and we need the help of everyone to turn the tide,” DiSanto said. “We’ve heard from experts and law enforcement, and now students have an opportunity to offer their input. I look forward to hearing their take on a crisis that is disproportionately affecting young people.”
“Talk to Your Senator” is open to Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12 and will provide a total of $10,000 in cash prizes to winning entries that focus on ways to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among young people. Prize money will be awarded through the TAP 529 Account program with the PA Department of Treasury and will be deposited into college savings accounts in the winners’ names. Videos will be judged based on creativity, content and effectiveness of message delivery.
Entries must be submitted using the registration form available at www.acommonwealthcrisis.com. The site includes more information on the contest, including guidelines for submitting videos, content, judging, and prizes. The deadline for video entries is December 10, 2017.
The Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania is a statewide coalition of drug and alcohol abuse prevention and education programs, student assistance programs, drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs, recovery services, several statewide drug and alcohol organizations and others.
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801