FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2025

Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org 

Join the Movement: Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Calls on Middle Schoolers to Enter the 2024-2025 PSA Challenge

MILLBURN, NJ — New Jersey middle school students can make a difference in their communities by using their creativity to share powerful substance use prevention messages with their peers across the state. The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) invites fifth through eighth-grade students to enter the 2024-2025 Middle School PSA Challenge, where they can create a 30-second public service announcement, compete for a $1,000 prize, and have their message amplified on social media.

The Challenge encourages middle school students to create a 30-second public service announcement focused on the dangers of substance use. The goal is to promote peer-to-peer communication, empowering young people to influence and support one another in making healthy choices.

“The PSA Challenge provides middle school students with a platform to use their voices powerfully and creatively,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. “When young people speak directly to their peers about the dangers of substance use, the message resonates in a way that is both relatable and impactful. This initiative not only fosters creativity but also builds leadership skills among students as they work to inspire their classmates to lead drug-free lives.”

Last year’s winners were students from Quitman Street School in Newark, who were recognized for their compelling and inspiring PSA promoting substance use prevention. Their video served as a powerful message encouraging young people to reject drugs and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

New Jersey students in grades five through eight can enter the contest. All entries must be submitted online, and submissions will be judged on their prevention message, peer-to-peer relatability, and production quality. The submission deadline is March 28, and winners will be announced in the spring.

For more information or to view previous winners, visit drugfreenj.org/mspsa

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication.  To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 230 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.