New anti-drug license plate proposed; students statewide invited to create design
Keep Kids Drug-Free, Press Release
April 27, 2007

Three agencies providing substance abuse prevention, treatment and education programs to Kentucky's youth have joined forces to promote creation of a new "Keep Kids Drug-Free" license plate.

The plate's design will be selected through a contest open to all elementary, middle and high school students across the commonwealth. Deadline to submit design entries is Thursday, May 31.

Operation UNITE, WestCare Kentucky, and the Children's Alliance of Kentucky hope to have the new plate available in time for this year's Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31, 2007).

"One of the main goals of this project is to increase public awareness and support for substance abuse efforts," said Jenifer Noland, vice president of WestCare Kentucky. "We see many children who are the innocent victims of drug-abusing family members, but all too often these children become entangled into a destructive drug culture of their own. We need more people to become active advocates for change instead of passive observers."

Each license plate will sell for $38. Of this amount, $28 will be paid to the state and $10 is a tax-deductible voluntary donation that will be equally divided among the three organizations. By state statute, none of the proceeds can be used for administrative or personnel costs. In addition, there will be a $3 fee payable to the county clerk at the time the plate is issued.

"Before we can have the plates produced we need pre-sell at least 900," said Bart Baldwin, president of the Children's Alliance. "If we could sell just 10 plates in each of Kentucky's counties we will have surpassed our goal. I am confident that we have at least 10 people in each county concerned enough about the devastating effects of substance abuse to support this initiative."

Applications to order the special license plates can be downloaded from each agency's website: Operation UNITE http://www.operationunite.org, WestCare Kentucky http://www.westcare.com, or Children's Alliance http://www.childrensallianceky.org. The application may be returned with payment to any of these agencies.

License Plate Contest

The purpose of the "Keep Kids Drug-Free" license plate design contest is to educate and encourage young people as to the importance of remaining drug-free by involving them in the design process, which in turn will send a similar message to the general public.

All students - public, private and home-school -- from kindergarten through grade 12 are eligible to enter the contest. Prizes will be awarded for the winning entry in addition to the distinction of having their design featured on a Kentucky state license plate.

Entry forms and detailed contest rules are available for download from each agency's website.

"Youth involvement is crucial to long-term efforts at reducing substance abuse," said Elizabeth Wilson, director of the UNITE Foundation. "You can preach prevention and teach children about the dangers of drugs, but true reform will only be realized as youth take ownership in sustainable solutions."

Click the Links below to Download More Information About the License Plate Contest

Contest Rules

License Plate Applicaton Form

Information About the 3 Organizations