The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey's (PDFNJ) Shout Down

Drugs music competition deadline is February 1, 2016.

The New Jersey Shout Down Drugs contest challenges high school

students to create original music with lyrics that contain powerful

peer-to-peer drug prevention messages. The finalists, selected

through an online vote and judging panel, represent students from

across the state, and will compete for music contracts valued at

$5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. The contest is open to all New Jersey

high school students.

The program's website, www.ShoutDownDrugs.com, features finalist's

profiles and allows the public to cast votes for their favorite songs.

These results will be factored into the finalists' scores on the night of

the concert. The first round of online voting runs from February 12-

26, 2016 to select an automatic finalist. All finalists will be announced

on March 1, 2016. Ticket reservations will begin on March 1st, all

tickets are free of charge, but must be reserved at

www.ShoutDownDrugs.com or 973-467-2100 x19.

"Over the last 12 years, PDFNJ has witnessed enormous enthusiasm

for this program from high school students from across New Jersey

looking for a way to share a drug-free message," noted PDFNJ

executive director, Angelo M. Valente. "In 2016, we look forward to

hearing from students from all over the state - whether you're a

rocker, a hip hop artist, a gospel or ballad singer, all music genres are

welcome."

All entries must be received by February 1, 2016. Finalists will perform

at the statewide Prevention Concert on May 25, 2016, at the Rutgers

University Nicholas Music Center in New Brunswick. For entry forms

and other information visit www.ShoutDownDrugs.com or call

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, at 973-467-2100, ext. 19.

The music of past contestants and winners can be found on

www.ShoutDownDrugs.com.