A cooperative effort between the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, and D.A.R.E. NJ, Inc., this new statewide initiative is designed to encourage middle school students and their parents to work together to create billboard messages with the theme "Dangers of Alcohol."

"We cannot curb underage alcohol abuse through strong law enforcement alone," explained ABC Director Jerry Fischer. "Unfortunately, the use of alcohol by young people results from a mind set formed at an early age. A strategy that includes equal parts of education, public awareness and family participation is needed if we are to change young people's attitudes about alcohol use. This program helps us accomplish that by encouraging parents and children to play an equal part in raising awareness about the dangers of underage drinking."

D.A.R.E. officers also worked with the students on the project, which was launched in spring, 2002, and produced more then 450 entries. Thirteen winning messages, selected from the submissions, are featured on a 2003 calendar that was distributed to middle schools. One message is featured each month, and the grand prize winning message is displayed on the calendar's front cover. Additionally, the grand prize winning message, was reproduced on highway billboards throughout the state.

The finalists, the grand prize winner and their schools are listed below:
Grand Prize Winner: Nicole Battaglia, Burnet Middle School, Union, Union County.
Finalists: Lauren Rodriquez, St. John's Nepomucene, North Bergen, Hudson County; Jessica Cho, Brookside School, Westwood, Bergen County; Chris Dorman, Theodore Roosevelt School Weehawkin, Hudson County; Alyssa Palma, Sayreville Middle School, Parlin, Middlesex County; Joseph Oclarit, Horace Mann School, North Bergen, Hudson County; Michael Petruzzella, Central 5-Jefferson School, Union, Union County; Erin Madden, Lincoln School, Garwood, Union County; Danielle Wilk, Long Beach Island Grade School, Ship Bottom, Ocean County; Ceili Brennan, Brookside School, Westwood, Bergen County; Maddie Zebrook, Long Beach Island Grade School, Ship Bottom, Ocean County; Nikki Bhogal, Frank J. Dungan School, Marlboro, Monmouth County; and, Akello Ashley, Central 5-Jefferson School, Union, Union County.