Drug abuse can be a factor which interferes with educational goals of youngsters.
Working with Phoenix House and Genovese, we developed the contest as a way to help students understand the importance of education and avoiding drugs. Common themes in the essays included the loss of control, false sense of euphoria and wasted opportunities caused by drug abuse. What a waste of someone who had so much to offer. Since 1995, ACDE has been an affiliate of Phoenix House, the nation's leading non-profit substance abuse service organization. Phoenix House treats more than 3,300 adolescents and adults in outpatient and residential programs in New York, California, Texas and Florida.