The war on drugs in Pennsylvania has a new wave of young crusaders, thanks to the efforts of Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Shapiro recently announced the winners of the Office of Attorney General’s 23rd Annual Drug-Free Calendar Contest, which saw fifth-grade students throughout the commonwealth create original artwork with a drug-free message.
The contest, which was held during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October, drew in over 1,042 submissions from 157 schools in 49 counties in Pennsylvania. The winning entries were chosen based on the artists’ creativity and ability to illustrate and convey a drug-free message. Each calendar month is represented with artwork of a Pennsylvania student, with one additional student illustration on the front of the calendar.
According to Shapiro, the annual calendar contest is about students empowering other young people to make smart choices. “Combatting the opioid epidemic is my number one priority and we need a multipronged approach, including education, to prevent drug use,” Shapiro said. “Children must learn about the real dangers of substance abuse, and the benefits of being drug free. The calendar contest helps spread these messages throughout Pennsylvania.”
The contest winners were invited guests at a luncheon with Attorney General Shapiro and Office of Attorney General Director of Government Affairs Mike Vereb. Each student received a certificate and a $529 contribution to their Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program, which is supervised by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. The calendar contest is funded through the Community Drug Abuse Prevention Fund, which is contributed to by fines and penalties collected from certain offenses, such as driving under the influence.
The following students were named 2020 Drug-Free Calendar Contest winners: Cali Ross, Anthony Sawa, RossLynn Gasker, Sophie vander Velden, Cali Smith, Alena Myers, Andi Midler, Layla Tnaimou, Sawyer Mavretish, Jacquelyn Shoenberger, Dolche’ Ochap, Matthew Murphy, and Addison Horn. Office of Attorney General agents and specialists visit schools throughout the year to meet with children to educate them about the importance of staying drug free.
To learn more about these programs, visit www.attorneygeneral.gov or call the Office of Attorney General’s Office of Public Engagement at 800-525-7642. The Office of Attorney General is dedicated to protecting the citizens of Pennsylvania and promoting a safe and healthy community. By educating children about the dangers of substance abuse, Shapiro and his team are working towards a brighter future for the commonwealth.
In addition to the calendar contest, the Office of Attorney General offers a variety of programs and resources to help combat the opioid epidemic. From educational materials to community outreach initiatives, the office is committed to providing support and guidance to those affected by substance abuse. By working together, we can create a safer, healthier Pennsylvania for all.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: Pennsylvania AG
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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