MEDIA RELEASE

To increase awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” the Hawaii Meth Project is partnering with Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) for the fourth year in a row to present a special award for Meth addiction prevention videos as part of HMSA’s 2013 Teen Video Awards Contest.

The Hawaii Meth Project will award a GoPro camera to each member of the winning team whose addiction prevention video most effectively communicates the risks of using Meth.

HMSA’s annual competition challenges Hawaii’s middle and high school students to create videos focusing on important health issues including the following categories: addiction prevention, healthy living, mental health, and teen safety.

Through their partnership, HMSA and the Hawaii Meth Project are encouraging students to create videos that will raise awareness and deliver a message to discourage teen Meth use.

Winners will be selected based on content, effectiveness, creativity, and videography. Deadline for submissions is March 4, 2013. Finalists will be notified in early April and winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on May 8, 2013 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.

Winners in each category will receive funds from HMSA for their school to purchase video equipment or software, with first place receiving $1,000, second place $500, and third place $250. The Best of Show will receive an additional $1,000, with a $500 prize for the best middle school submission.

Winning videos will be broadcast on local television stations.

The public can also vote for their favorite video from 8 a.m. April 1 through 4 p.m. April 12. The video with the most votes will win a Voters’ Choice award worth $500.

This year’s winning team whose addiction prevention video most effectively communicates the risks of using meth will have their video featured on the Meth Project’s website, joining previous winners in the special meth addiction prevention category including “I Will Take Your Life Away” (Kapaa High School students), “Meth Kills Dreams” (Hawaii Baptist Academy students), and “Crystal Mirror” (Waianae High School students).

HMSA began the HMSA Teen Video Awards Contest in 2004 to raise awareness of health issues affecting Hawaii’s youth. The program involves teens in a way that is fun, creative, and thought-provoking. It inspires youth dialogue and supports non-traditional learners.

The Hawaii Meth Project is a non-profit organization that implements large-scale, research-based campaigns and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state. Central to its integrated campaigns is the website, a definitive source for information about Meth for teens.

The Hawaii Meth Project is affiliated with the Meth Project, a national non-profit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., aimed at significantly reducing meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach.

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit society founded in Hawaii in 1938. Its mission is to provide the people of Hawaii access to a sustainable, quality health care system that improves the overall health and well-being of our state.

It is governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community. HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

— Find out more:
www.HawaiiMethProject.org
www.hmsa.com