Your voice. Your idea. Your take.
You know what it’s actually like to be a teen in Idaho.
The pressure. The stress. The choices you and your friends are making every day.
We want to hear what you have to say about it.
Create a video of 60 seconds or less that helps other teens—or parents and other adults—think differently about vaping, alcohol, marijuana or other substance use. Talk about the connections between mental health and substance use. Speak to your peers, or tell adults what you wish they understood about being a teen today and how they can help.
Make it funny. Make it serious. Tell a story. Speak from your heart. Share a fact that surprised you. Challenge something people assume is true.
NEW! $1,500 Grand Prizes for winners in 4 regions of Idaho.
SO, WHAT IS THE UNALTERED STATE?
The Unaltered State is about helping Idaho teens navigate substance use with real information, real conversations and zero judgment.
Because substance use isn't just about substances (AKA drugs).
It can be connected to stress, mental health, corporate manipulation, fitting in, friendships, family, what you see online and what feels normal around you.
The Unaltered State gives teens and the people who care about them information and resources to make sense of it all and make informed choices.
And sometimes the people teens listen to most are other teens.
That's where you come in.
how it works
1. pICK YOUR ANGLE
Choose something about youth substance use that you think other teens or adults should know.
You can focus on one drug, like nicotine (vapes, cigarettes, nicotine pouches), Kratom, alcohol, marijuana or fentanyl, or talk about substance use more broadly. You can explore the connection between youth mental health issues and substance use.
2. DO A LITTLE DIGGING
Your idea should be creative, but it also needs to be accurate.
Before you write your script, spend some time learning about your topic. We've gathered trusted resources below to help you find facts, statistics and ideas.
Research Resource
One important rule: If you use a fact or statistic, make sure you can trace it back to a trustworthy source.
3. MAKE IT YOURS
This is the fun part.
You have 60 seconds. How you use them is up to you.
Your video could be:
A story
A conversation
A comedy, skit or rap
A surprising fact
An animation
A POV
A myth vs. reality
A visual metaphor
Something completely different
You don't need expensive equipment or professional editing software. A phone and a strong idea can go a long way.
NEED HELP MAKING YOUR VIDEO?
We've got you.
START WITH THE IDEA
Before filming anything, try writing your idea in one sentence:
"I want someone who watches my video to ______."
Think differently?
Learn something?
Question something?
Feel understood?
Make a different choice?
If you know what you want your viewer to walk away with, building your video gets a whole lot easier.
record
You don't need a fancy camera.
Find good light. Make sure we can hear you. Keep your camera steady. And shoot more than one take.
That's it.
WRITE IT
For a 60-second video, keep your message simple.
Focus on one idea, get to the point quickly and end with something people will remember. We like to call that a story arch (a good one always catches the judges eyes).
Video writing + research tips listed out
EDIT IT
Need an app? Music? Images?
We've collected resources to help you put everything together:
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
Here's the important stuff.
You must:
Be 12–18 years old.
Live in Idaho and attend school in Idaho.
Create a video that encourages other youth to avoid experimenting with or using substances.
Make your video exactly 60-seconds long.
Enter individually or as a team/group.
Upload your finished video to YouTube as Unlisted, not Private.
Submit your Unlisted YouTube link through the official entry form.
Complete the required release/parent permission form
Before you start filming, make sure you've reviewed everything:
READY TO ENTER?
Here's the important stuff.
You did the research.
You made the thing.
Now let Idaho see what you have to say.
Upload your finished video to YouTube as Unlisted, grab the link and complete the entry form.
Judges will consider accuracy, creativity, production and overall impact.