Members of The National Drug Council and their partners pose for a photo during the official launch of the Bahamian Youth Expression Against Drugs Competition. The announcement was made on Wednesday, February 1. Pictured (seated left to right: Ms. Marion Pinder, Bahamas National Drug Council (BNDC); Mrs. Gayle Hamilton (BNDC); Mr. Paul Williams, Chief Financial Officer and Dr. Bridgette Rolle, Administrator, Bahamas National Drug Council. Pictured (standing: Pastor Eric Fox, Teen Challenge and Mr. Shervin Lloyd, National Anti-Drug Security. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna).

Nassau, The Bahamas – The Bahamas National Drug Council and the U. S. Embassy have launched a competition, which they hope will attract the attention of all students in The Bahamas aged 12-14. The Bahamian Youth Expression Against Drugs Competition will focus on ‘positive’ messages and students can express themselves through essays, raps and poetry. The competition was officially launched during a press conference held on Wednesday, February 1.  

Administrator at the Bahamas National Drug Council, Dr. Bridgitte Rolle, said the purpose of the contest is ‘to encourage students throughout The Bahamas to consider the harmful impact of illegal drugs and to reflect on how they can resist negative peer pressure and act as leaders against drugs in their community.’  

 “How are we going to do that? There are two, if you will, two rewards – one is a youth leadership camp in the summer and the ultimate reward is a photo camp in the fall, which will be sponsored by the National Geographic (Society).”  

A diverse panel will select 35 finalists to participate in a Summer Youth Leadership Camp from which a final 20 will attend the National Geographic Photo Camp to be held at the Island School in Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas this fall HYPERLINK "http://photography. nationalgeographic.com/ photography/photocamp/" http:// photography. nationalgeographic.com/ photography/photocamp/ ).  Finalists will also receive other prizes including a digital camera.  Winning submissions will also be highlighted as a part of The Government of The Bahamas’ Drug Demand Reduction Campaign – “Drugs and Crime are a Waste of Time.”  

This programme is part of a continuing partnership among National Drug Council, National Anti-Drug Secretariat, and the U.S. Embassy to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and promote young leaders in The Bahamas.  

Submissions should be mailed by March 1; no submissions will be accepted after March 15.  Electronic submission to HYPERLINK "mailto:YouthExpress2012@ BahamasNDC.org" YouthExpress201 2@BahamasNDC.org preferred, physical mail will be accepted at: The Bahamas National Drug Council, Royal Victoria Gardens addressed to Dr. Bridgette Rolle, Administrator. You Tube is the preferred method for submitting videos, links should be included in the application and the full name of the competition “Bahamian Youth Expression Against Drugs Competition” should be included in the title, but videos submitted by means other than You Tube will also be accepted.  For additional details on the 2012 Youth Expression Against Drugs Competition, please visit the Bahamas National Drug Council webpage or the U.S. Embassy webpage, HYPERLINK "http://nassau.usembassy.gov/" http://nassau.usembassy.gov, the National Drug Council’s Face-book page bahamasndc.org or call (242) 325-4633.