The Meade High School Student Media Contest

Anne Arundel County is ranked third highest for the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and ranked third highest for the number of serious injuries in the state (Strategic Highway Safety Plan, 2010 to 2012, MVA/MHSO).

According to the Anne Arundel County Department of Health Youth Substance Use Consumption Survey (2013), twenty-seven percent of 12-20 year olds in AAC admitted to drinking within the last 30 days. Only one third of those surveyed saw a risk in binge drinking. Additionally, over the last three years, 11 people under 21 have died in alcohol-related car crashes in AAC. In seven of those crashes the driver was underage and under the influence. Statewide, 64 people under 21 were killed in drunken driving accidents, 38 of them while under the influence of alcohol (MVA/MHSO, 2010-2013)

An analysis of Youth Substance Use in Anne Arundel County shows that the social availability and social access of alcohol is caused in large part by the provision of alcohol to underage persons.

Older siblings or other relatives provide alcohol to underage persons.
Older friends supply alcohol.
Parents do not monitor the alcohol in the home and youth take it.

As noted in the AACDOH Youth Substance Use Survey Report of 4500 youth ages 12-20, youth obtain their alcohol in the following ways:

31% I gave someone money to buy it;
21% some other way;
43% someone gave it to me; and,
17% I took it from a family member.

The Meade High School family has been personally touched by its share of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Therefore, a small group of dedicated Meade High School personnel and Community Coalition volunteers decided to use the creative talents of students and the power of artwork to reduce the risk of alcohol use and alcohol-crashes.

The Meade Media Project’s goal is to change the way teens think about what they are doing to their bodies and mind. The Meade Media Project challenges teens and educate them through artwork and video with a theme message on the dangers of underage drinking, binge drinking and substance abuse.

Annual donations of $2000 from and The Anne Arundel County Alcohol Licensed Beverage Association to the Western Anne Arundel County Substance Prevention WASP) Coalition made this possible. Each year, students were presented with the awards by Sherry Medley, WASP Coordinator and CEO of Hands of Hope, Inc. and Derrick Farmer, WASP Chairperson and other public recognitions.

For School Year 2014-2015, the Media contest theme was “It’s Not Just One.” We had an overwhelming response from the students, with over twenty entries for the three categories, print, video and poetry.

Participants showcase their work in the (“Media Contest Art Gallery” located at the school, the posters and videos were judged by a panel of WASP Coalition members, Anne Arundel County Public Schools personnel and alumni.

WASP’s mission is to prevent alcohol and other drug use among youth and to promote safe, healthy behaviors. WASP is funded through a grant from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.

For more information about substance abuse prevention in Western Anne Arundel County, or any of the art work contact the WASP Coalition at 443-351-7989 or waspcoalition@gmail.com

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2015 Image Winner

Alberto7.1

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2015 Image Runners-Up

Soquili D 1

Ayana

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2015 Video Winner

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2015 Video Runners-Up

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