"Big Dreams" is the winning addictions prevention theme for the Provincial Government�s 2008 Get Up On It T-shirt design contest. The design was brought forward by Clarenville High School Student Emily Hughes. The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Service, formally congratulated Ms. Hughes this morning at Clarenville High School.

"I congratulate Ms. Hughes on being chosen by her peers for having the top design," said Minister Wiseman. "We had an incredible response to this contest and received excellent submissions from students who have clearly grasped what it means to be yourself and avoid substance use."

Get Up On It was introduced in 2005 to educate youth on the effects of drugs, alcohol and problem gambling. Each year, the campaign takes on a new focus for the prevention of adolescent substance use and gambling problems. The 2008 Get Up On It campaign theme Draw Your Own Conclusions, focused on the facts about marijuana use including its effect on ambition and interest; driving and reaction time; and the harmful and unknown toxins and addictive additives generally found in marijuana. The t-shirt design contest was a new feature for the 2008 campaign. Students across the province were encouraged to submit designs that promoted addictions prevention. Forty-three submissions were received and the winning design was chosen by on-line voting. For her prize, Ms. Hughes received 100 T-shirts and 10 hoodies and Clarenville High School received a set of soccer balls for their recreation program.

"I wanted to design something motivating and something that other students could relate to," said student Emily Hughes. "I really hope they like it and get the message."

"The Get Up On It campaign has attracted more than 7,500 visitors to the website with nearly 180,000 hits," said Minister Wiseman. "So the fact that so many youth are visiting the site repeatedly demonstrates they are interested in understanding the facts about substance use. We are working to help youth make informed choices today that can positively influence their future."

Get Up On It is just one of many initiatives designed to strengthen addictions prevention and treatment in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government has allocated $15.2 million in new funding for mental health and addictions. For more information on the Get Up On It campaign, visit www.getuponit.ca.