The Power of Music

Did you know that music has the power to produce a similar euphoric effect in the brain as drugs? When a person experiences the sound of music it results in a release of dopamine, but at a natural rate. Studies show that music can also improve brain function, increase productivity, strengthen memory and learning, and equalize brain waves. It is because of these reasons that therapists use music in recovery treatment in order to familiarize the body with the feeling of a natural rush. 

Music is also a helpful tool that can be used for substance use prevention, which is why PDFNJ created the New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music competition for New Jersey high school students. 

Created in 2005, New Jersey Shout Down Drugs challenges high school students to create original music and lyrics with powerful substance abuse prevention messages to allow teens to deliver the prevention message to each other through their favorite medium of music. County Finalists are chosen by peer judges to perform their original songs at the Annual Statewide Prevention Concert held every spring at a state-of-the-art venue.  First, second and third place winners are chosen by a panel of judges that night to receive music contracts worth $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000, respectively, to perform their winning songs at different events throughout the state during the year. Through this website, the public is invited to vote for their favorite songs by participating in two phases of online voting.  Since 2010, when the online voting began, over one million votes have been cast.

This year, the annual statewide concert will be held at on Friday, April 3rd at the Two River Rechknitz Theater in Red Bank. The deadline to enter the competition for a chance to perform at the concert and let all of New Jersey hear your music is Friday, January 10th. Online voting begins January 17.

I encourage you to spread the word about the competition to any high school students who might be interested. For entry forms and more information on contest rules, visit www.ShoutDownDrugs.Com

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