HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Meth Project on Thursday announced the winners of its “Take a Stand Against Meth” art contest, a statewide initiative designed to leverage the creativity and passion of young people to communicate the risks associated with methamphetamine
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Meth Project on Thursday announced the winners of its “Take a Stand Against Meth” art contest, a statewide initiative designed to leverage the creativity and passion of young people to communicate the risks associated with methamphetamine use.
To compete in the contest, teens throughout the state created and entered paintings, drawings and photographs, expressing their thoughts about meth use and discouraging others from trying this highly addictive drug. A total of 61 entries were created by teens from all the islands.
The first place winner was the “Don’t Let Meth Control You” exhibit, created by John Cabias, a sophomore at Leilehua High School. He received an Apple iPad for the hand-drawn piece that depicts a human puppet on strings being controlled by the hand of meth.
“Once I understood how serious the meth problem was in our state, I felt compelled to participate in this art contest and express my thoughts about meth,” Cabias said. “My inspiration came from a friend’s story about a family member who was using meth and how it fully took control of his life. After using meth he no longer cared about the things that used to be important to him — all he cared about was his next meth fix. Through my artwork I really wanted to express how addictive meth is and how it will take control of your life, even if you try it just once.”
Second place went to “Down the Drain,” created by Vincent Bercasio, a freshmen at Pearl City High School.
The People’s Choice Award went to “Life or Meth,” created by Joshua Camalig, a junior at Wai‘anae High School.
There were entries from all over the state, including three from Kaua‘i. Two of them were exhibition-only works created by Hawai‘i Meth Project Teen Advisory Council members from Kaua‘i.
“Meth Free World” was exhibited by Bryson Cayaban, a senior at Waimea High School and “Meth Destruction” was exhibited by Jordan Balbin, a senior at Kaua‘i High School.
Samantha Bueno, a 7th grader at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, created the third entry, “Not Even Once.” It was submitted for competition but did not place.
Twelve entries were awarded honorable mentions, with entrants receiving a Hawai‘i Meth Project prize pack. The winning works of art and other select pieces will be displayed online at MethProject.org/action/hawaii/takeastand.html.
The exhibit will also be at the Hawai‘i State Capitol through March 22, and Honolulu Hale (City Hall) from March 25 to April 12.
The Hawai‘i Meth Project is a nonprofit organization that implements large-scale, research-based campaigns and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state.
