Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Awards for Excellence in Reporting on Drug & Alcohol Issues; Submissions Due June 14

5/3/2004

From: Gretchen Wright, 202-371-1999

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Drug Strategies, a national nonprofit research institute, is accepting submissions for the sixth annual Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Awards for excellence in reporting on drug and alcohol abuse through June 14.

The award is given in two categories: broadcast (radio or television) and print. Ten thousand dollars will be awarded in each category and there is no entry fee. Entries for the year 2004 awards must consist of a single article or broadcast or a series of related broadcasts aired or articles published between June 2, 2003 and June 1, 2004. Winners will be notified in October 2004 and will be honored at an awards luncheon in New York in November 2004. Submissions must be postmarked by June 14, 2004.

The Nancy Dickerson Whitehead Award jury seeks submissions that provide new insight into substance abuse issues. Submissions are judged based on whether they contribute to new solutions or other community initiatives, including better public understanding of the issue. Past winners have shed light on such timely and important topics as: teenagers abusing cold medications; our nation's drug policy; abuse of painkillers; the impact of emerging illegal drugs on communities; and alcohol abuse among college students.

In 2003 the winners were: ABC 15 The Investigators in Phoenix, Arizona and The Sun in Bremerton, Washington. Honorable mentions went to the South Florida Sun Sentinel and BET.com. Previous years' winners were: National Public Radio's Justice Talking; Roanoke Times; Times Union; One Voice: Media United Against Drugs (KMTR-TV, KVAL-TV, KLSR-TV and KEVU-TV); Frontline; The McClatchy Company; The Spokane Spokesman-Review; ABC Nightline; The Santa Fe New Mexican; Great Falls Tribune; The New York Times; Kansas City Star; WBBM-TV; and, Jefferson Public Radio.

The Awards honor Nancy Dickerson Whitehead's efforts to improve media coverage of drug issues. During her long and distinguished career as a broadcast journalist, she reported on many critical social concerns, including the nation's problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Whitehead was a distinguished broadcast journalist and an active member of the Board of Directors of Drug Strategies.

Drug Strategies is a non-profit research institute promoting more effective approaches to the nation's drug problems through treatment, prevention, education, law enforcement and community coalitions.

NOTE: For information and applications, contact Gretchen Wright or Annette Rodenas at 202-371-1999, email prsolutions@prsolutionsdc.com.