1^st place, Olivia Artale, Senior at Hunterdon Central High School –Olivia wrote that watching the Fentanyl Factor was absolutely chilling,“It’s truly heartbreaking to see how addiction takes a hold of someone and not only can kill them but destroy the lives of so many people involved…. It was also especially eye opening to the fact that all the people interviewed in this film were all from or close to Hunterdon County. It became very real to me how possible addiction is and why I need to be careful and never try drugs. Not even once.”Olivia notes that while education is good, more can always be done; “Within Hunterdon Central I think in school detentions and cessationprograms should be put in place to help kids who have already tried drugs/vaping in order to helpthem stop.”

2^nd place, Mackenzie Dilgard, Freshman at North Hunterdon High School – Mackenzie wrote an essay entitled “Making the Change, Saving Lives”, highlighting many of Hunterdon County’s strategies to reduceprescription drug misuse. Mackenzie referenced the vital steps that Hunterdon Medical Center has taken in reducing the number of opioids prescribed and monitoring opioid prescribing patterns in an effort to mitigate patients’ risk of becoming addicted. In addition, Mackenzie notes, “HunterdonCounty’s most valuable asset is informing and supporting schools. Oneway districts are doing sois by increasing the number of Student Assistance Counselors within the school, assigning onecounselor per grade”.

3^rd place, Melissa Angley, Sophomore at Delaware Valley High School – Melissa’s essay, “Use Knowledge, Not Drugs” acknowledged that a major strength in drug control is due to the hardworking police enforcing laws in and out of schools.As Vice President of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club at DelawareValley Regional High School, Melissa identifies the need for more support from the student body and more funding for speakers to come and talk personally about the experience of substance abuse. “It is important for the speakers to present true and emotionally impacting stories so the topic is retained seriously, which can expand the support for organizations that advocate for safe choices.”

4^th place, Christian Palmisano, Junior from Voorhees High School – Christian’s essay, “Hunterdon County’s Fight Against Fentanyl and Opioid Abuse”, noted that the strongest aspect of Hunterdon County’s efforts to combat the rise of fentanyl is its tireless campaign to educate the public. “The very existence of ‘Fentanyl Factor’,among other films about drugs, is a testament to the efforts of Hunterdon County to arm the populace with information so that they can better avoid the abuse of fentanyl, other opioids, and drug abuse in general.”Christian also acknowledged, “When fentanyl receives the attention and eventual crackdown that other drugs like heroin and cocaine have undergone, it will be replaced by another drug that will also have to be exposed and regulated. But even if films like ‘Fentanyl Factor’ and the spreading of information regarding the over prescription of opioids are only able to stop one person from abusing and eventually overdosing on opioids, then it is worth it.”