Montgomery County's initiative to stem the tide of underage drinking has found a unique and engaging ally in its students, showcasing 59 videos from 31 schools in the 2024-25 Keeping it Safe (KIS) student video contest, which sought to discourage and educate against the risks of underage alcohol consumption. The contest, a collaborative effort by the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and the Montgomery County Department of Police, allocated cash prizes to the top entries to benefit their schools, as per Montgomery County's official press release.
At the helm of this initiative stands the KIS coalition, which since 1992 has maintained an unbroken commitment to deterring underage access and use of alcohol through an alliance comprising County departments, local organizations, and concerned residents. In this year's contest, the winners were announced during the county's Public Safety Awards ceremony. Emphasizing the urgency of the issue, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich highlighted the sobering statistic from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism noting that "60% of adolescents admit to having at least one alcoholic drink by the time they turn 18," and "I value every student’s effort to reduce and prevent alcohol use among their peers," as he commended the students on their initiative.
Among the winners, Watkins Mill High School snagged the $1,000 first place prize in the high school category, while Yilin Ouyang of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School clinched first position in the middle school group with a $500 reward, with second and third places also receiving substantial cash prizes for their respective schools. Humanity TV, a KIS member, sponsored the Most Popular video award, based on online engagement, which went to a group from Shady Grove Middle School, earning them a $150 prize paid directly to the students. This award acknowledged the submission with the most views and "likes." The winning works were aimed at empowering youth with knowledge and strategies to counter peer pressure and support friends struggling with alcohol issues.
ABS's involvement extended beyond the contest as a wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits in Montgomery County, managing 27 retail stores and ensuring responsible alcohol sales and service through the Division of Licensing, Regulation, and Education, the generated revenue from ABS's activities contributes to the county's finances by reducing debt and funding services, echoing the department's dedication to the local community's safety and well-being. For updates and more details, interested individuals can follow ABS on their Facebook page.
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