Students take stand against substance abuse through PSA contest

ISHPEMING — On Monday evening, the Marquette County Cares coalition announced and viewed the winning videos for the 2018 middle and high school substance use prevention video PSA contest in Ishpeming.

This is the second year of the video contest, which was open to all middle school and high school students in Marquette County. Last year’s theme was “I Can” and this year’s theme was “We Will”. One 8th grade student who placed third in the middle school division had a message for those struggling with substance abuse.

“Try and find somebody that you can talk to about it, and if you can, find something else to do – it will help you,” said Ishpeming 8th Grader, Michael Adams. “It helps me stay happy and keep going every day.”

“I think everybody at this point has to be aware and acknowledge that substance abuse in our communities is an issue,” said MARESA Prevention Specialist, Kelly Sager. “We figured we would take this opportunity to get the students involved, give them a voice and a chance to assist their peers in avoiding those risky behaviors, and making the healthy choice – the right choice.”

More than 50 students were involved in the video contest, and multiple businesses and organizations worked together to provide cash awards for the 1st-3rd place winning teams in each category.