Northern Dutchess Community Coalition (NDCC) Announces Creative Contest for Vaping Prevention and Awareness

Ahead of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Prevention Week, May 8 – 14, Northern Dutchess Community Coalition (NDCC) is partnering with the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) to bring a creative contest to middle and high school students across Dutchess County, all in the name of vaping prevention and awareness.

Students can submit a music video, traditional video or poster for judging. The winners in each category will be announced and showcased during a drive-in movie night celebration the evening of Wednesday, June 15 at the Overlook Drive-In in Lagrangeville, NY.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how students across the county use the given mediums to create meaningful messages of vaping awareness,” said Dora Celestino, coalition coordinator at NDCC. “With vaping use on the rise in Dutchess County, and nationally, it’s encouraging to see more teens take the reins to raise awareness on the dangers of vaping. We’re happy to give them a platform to do so on a more public scale.”

Submissions are due on or before Friday, May 27 and the winners will be announced on Monday, June 6. All winners in each category will be awarded gift cards and the overall grand prize winner will receive $500. All entries will be featured on the big screen at the drive-in movie event. Any questions and/or finalized submissions can be sent to dcelestino@capedc.org.

Northern Dutchess Community Coalition (NDCC)

Founded in 2009 by a group of concerned community members and volunteers in response to increased reports of risky behaviors by local youth, including substance abuse and underage drinking, the Northern Dutchess Community Coalition (NDCC) began offering educational forums, trainings and town halls to raise awareness around these issues. It has since expanded its mission to address the changing landscape by directly informing youth of the dangers of vaping and marijuana use, while promoting positive mental health choices.

In late 2019, working under the guidance of the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education of Dutchess County (CAPE), the NDCC was awarded a five-year, Federal Drug Free Communities Grant, governed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). With the support of this grant, the NDCC is expanding its outreach within Northern Dutchess communities, including Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Millbrook, Pine Plains, Webutuck, Amenia, Northeast, Millerton, Tivoli, Milan, Clinton and Hyde Park.

For more information on the NDCC, or to learn how to get involved, head to Facebook