The Orcas Island Prevention Partnership was the Innovation category winner when 34 teams from all over the state competed for top honors during the Washington Prevention Youth Spring Forum, April 30, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington.

Their peers scored the presentations based on five categories: innovation, sustainability, impact, presentation style/professionalism and collaboration/partnerships.

“Studies and common sense show that teens listen to other teens,” said Attorney General Rob McKenna. “The youth engaged in these prevention programs harnessed the power of peer pressure to present the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, violence and teen suicide in a way that’s appealing to their friends. Their innovative programs, which use the latest technology, music and video, serve as models that can be replicated throughout the state.”

Students were challenged to develop prevention programs for their own communities and then to participate in the statewide competition designed to display their projects and give students the opportunity to learn new ideas from one another.