Eight teens have been selected as winners for the 2025 Beyond the Buzz 2.0: Youth Voices on Substance Use poster contest.
Youth in Grades 6 to 12 living in the Interior Health region were invited to participate in the contest. Teen judges from the Interior Health YOUTHWISE Advisory Group evaluated and scored each poster based on a specific set of criteria in each theme category.
Rather than centering messages on the health risks associated with substance use, IH’s contest invites young people to take the lead in shaping the conversation. By elevating youth voices and their lived experiences, the initiative fuels authentic peer‑to‑peer communication that makes this contest for youth, by youth.
This year, the contest had four key themes:
- Alcohol: Choices on Tap: Alcohol, Youth & Consequences
- Tobacco: Tobacco Impact: Commercial Tobacco’s Environmental and Community Impacts*
- Vape: Unmask the Vapour: Nicotine, Addiction & Hidden Dangers
- Cannabis: Mind at Risk: Cannabis, Brain Development & Youth Well‑Being
*Commercial tobacco is not reflective of traditional, ceremonial, sacred and medicinal uses of raw tobacco by Indigenous and other cultures.
“Youth continue to show us how thoughtful and aware they are of the world around us. Listening to youth helps us better understand how substances like commercial tobacco, cannabis, vapour products and alcohol affect their daily lives, their peers and the places they call home. The contest encourages young people to explore these issues creatively and confidently, and to use their voices to spark meaningful conversations. Through this contest, youth have the chance to express themselves, deepen their understanding and inspire others to make informed choices. Early awareness and education are key to supporting long‑term health and resilience, as well as, opening up the conversation on this topic with adults and communities around them.”
Meet the winners
Grades 6–8
Tom, grade 7, age 12, Penticton - Winner, Alcohol
“I wanted to send a message that would reach young people. Every decision counts. Don't let alcohol decide your future. Substances often seem harmless, but they can cause problems faster than you think. You don't have to consume to belong.”
Maverick, grade 7, age 12, Penticton - Winner, Cannabis
“I hope that this poster will get the message across that you should have fun in life and not be on drugs. No matter how hard your life is don’t do drugs or drink alcohol instead replace it with a healthy habit like working out. It may seem hard at first, but I know that you can do it.”
Jude, grade 8, age 12, Peachland - Winner, Tobacco
“I wanted to let people know how harmful smoking is and hopefully stop some people from smoking. My message to other youth about substance use is - don’t start!”
Mana, Kelowna - Winner, Vape
“I wanted youth to know how damaging vaping is, and its long-term effects so that they are never tempted to vape. Your health is important, and you have the power to make decisions to keep yourself strong. Choosing not to use these substances is the best way to make sure you can reach your full potential.”
Grades 9–12
Devynrayne, grade 12, age 17, Keremeos - Winner, Alcohol
“I was hoping to convey the struggle and sympathize with the individuals that use alcohol as a medicine for their hardship and bring awareness to mental health struggles and addiction that go hand in hand. I hope that my poster and the words I used stick with others and remind them that they always have another choice.”
Willow - Winner, Cannabis
Another winning teen contestant, Willow, used their poster submission to help inform other youth of the repercussions that substance use can have on mental health.
Samantha/Sam, Okanagan Indian Band - Winner, Tobacco
"The poster is completed in Okanagan language as I am of Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and utilized this contest as a way to also connect with my language and culture. The contest allowed all of our Native language class (Okanagan) to learn about vaping, alcohol and smoking consequences."
Ysha, grade 9, age 14, Sparwood - Winner, Vape
“The fact that vaping can cause long-term damage to your health or even death. Using substances is not worth it. It doesn't make you cool or anything; it just damages your health, both physically and mentally.”
Information on smoking, vaping, cannabis and alcohol
Resources for schools
The Interior Health Legal Substances Team offers resources to school district staff and other youth allies who are working to address the use of commercial tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and vapour products among youth:
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