Students in the Rockwood community can participate in the Substance Abuse PSA & Poster Contest, from now to Jan. 20.

The posters and public service announcements can inform about any substance abuse topic. Posters need to be 11 in. by 17 in. and PSAs should be 30 seconds long.  The winning posters and PSAs will be displayed throughout the community.

“It is an opportunity for students to express their views on substance abuse, in a way that can also ultimately be informative to the general population,” Kristin Bengtson, Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition Project Coordinator, said.

Bengtson also said the posters are judged based on how clear the message is communicated, how it encourages prevention and how it inspires others to take action.

Posters can be submitted to Bengtson through her email, [email protected], or by mailing it to the Drug-Free Coalition, 500 N. Central Ave., Eureka MO 63025. Students with PSAs should upload it to YouTube and then send the link to Bengtson.

Bengtson said she believes the contest will help the community’s drug problem because it will, “help bring awareness to the issues our community is facing with substance abuse. This contest is a way that teens can express their opinions, views and concerns with problems that they see on a daily basis.”

The contest separates the posters and PSAs and each have two categories, middle school and high school. Prizes are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, and range from $200-$750.