Prevention Works’ Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest is an artwork competition focusing on the prevention of underage drinking and healthy alternatives to alcohol use. In an ongoing effort to continue the dialogue about the dangers of underage drinking, Prevention Works is inviting students from Chautauqua County to participate in its 19th annual Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest.

The contest is open to all students in third through 12th grades, including those who are home-schooled or in private or parochial schools. Students may enter through their school, clubs, youth groups, or individually.

Entries must feature a clear, no-use message about underage drinking. The contest provides a creative and fun way for students to depict positive alternatives to underage drinking, such as getting involved in sports, playing games or volunteering in the community, to name a few. By designing posters, students send an important message to their peers.

The contest is divided into three categories: A (grades 3, 4 and 5), B (grades 6, 7 and 8) and C (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12). All posters submitted will be entered in a preliminary judging process that will eliminate all but four posters in each category. The final twelve posters will then compete in a final judging at an award ceremony scheduled for April 2020, which is Alcohol Awareness Month. Besides the grand prize of $100, first prize of $50, second prize of $25 and third prize of $20, the 12 finalists will be featured on the Prevention Works website and the top 12 posters will be used on flyers to announce the 2021 contest the following year.

Contest entry information is being sent to all county schools. Additional information about the contest, including submission dates, rules and guidelines, prizes, and an entry form is available at www.preventionworks.us, or by calling the Jamestown or Dunkirk office at 664-3608 or 366-4623. Posters must be received by Friday, March 13. Prevention Works’ Jamestown office is located at 501 West Third Street, Suites 3 & 4 Sprinchorn Building and the Dunkirk office is located at 51 E. Third Street in the Gateway Building.

Since 1974, Prevention Works, formerly known as CASAC, a United Way partner agency, has provided social emotional learning and the prevention of risky behaviors in Chautauqua County school districts and our local community. Prevention Works is the only New York State Office of Addiction Services & Supports (OASAS) approved and supported alcohol and other drug prevention agency in Chautauqua County. For further information about Prevention Works programs and services, call the Jamestown office at 664-3608, the Dunkirk office at 366-4623, or go to Prevention Works’ website, www.preventionworks.us.