BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish Be A BOSS + HOPE Initiative Youth Prevention Campaign is calling on students in grades 9-12 to create a short public service announcement video addressing the dangers of vaping, marijuana, fentanyl, prescription opioid misuse, heroin and other drugs.

The campaign is organized by Capital Region Crime Stoppers, Louisiana Blue, Victoria's Voice Foundation, and Acadian Ambulance. Students have until September 25, 2026, to submit their entries.

Students are encouraged to form teams to create and submit one to two minute long public service announcement videos. The PSAs must focus on the dangers and consequences of using vapes, marijuana, heroin, prescription opioids, fentanyl and/or other drugs.

Videos must also reference how being your own "BOSS" helps students overcome the odds and lead a drug-free life.

The goal of the campaign is to empower students to create peer-to-peer prevention messaging, encourage healthy decision-making and substance-free lifestyles, and provide youth with opportunities to become leaders and advocates in their communities. The contest is centered on the "Be A BOSS" framework, which challenges students to Build their legacy, Overcome the odds, Select their path, and Succeed on their terms.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams: $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. Teachers of the three winning teams will each receive a $100 gift card. Entries must be submitted online, along with required release forms, through the HOPE Initiative Program submission portal at crimestoppers225.com.

Following the Sept. 25 deadline, submissions will undergo judging and scoring. The three winning teams will be announced on Oct. 6 at an awards ceremony hosted by Louisiana Blue.

As part of the campaign, Victoria's Voice Foundation is also engaging LSU student-athletes to help connect its prevention message with young people and families across Louisiana. LSU tennis player Addison Lanton and LSU gymnast Lexi Zeiss are among the student-athletes lending their voices to the effort.

For more information about the Be A BOSS + HOPE Initiative Youth Prevention Campaign, visit crimestoppers225.com/hope-initiative-program.