Sign in Subscribe
Youth

Teens' Powerful Stories in Drug Treatment Awarded Top Distinction in Grammy Contest

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Two teens, Harvie and Amanda, who are currently in treatment at the Phoenix House Academy in Los Angeles, have been awarded the top distinction in the MusiCares and Grammy Foundation's Teen Substance Abuse Awareness through Music Contest. The contest was created to celebrate National Drug Facts Week and is coordinated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The teens' original song, "Like a Phoenix in the Air," chronicles their feelings about being in treatment and their desire to rise above their addictions. The song's powerful lyrics convey hope and resilience, and NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow notes that the songwriting team brought incredible emotion to their personal journey.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MusiCares and Grammy Foundation's Teen Substance Abuse Awareness through Music Contest was created to celebrate National Drug Facts Week and is coordinated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
  • The contest was open to teens ages 14-18, and entrants were asked to compose or create an original song and/or music video that explores, encourages, and celebrates a healthy lifestyle or accurately depicts a story about drug abuse.
  • Harvie and Amanda, two teens currently in treatment at the Phoenix House Academy in Los Angeles, won first place with their original song "Like a Phoenix in the Air."
  • The song chronicles their feelings about being in treatment and their desire to rise above their addictions.
  • The songwriting team brought incredible emotion to their personal journey, conveying hope and resilience.
  • The contest received even more entries this year than last, and all entrants are to be congratulated for their contributions to the music education mission of the Grammy Foundation and the addiction recovery mission of MusiCares.
  • The winners will have their musical entries posted on the Grammy 365 and MTV websites, as well as on the Above the Influence campaign site sponsored by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.
  • The Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, Calif., provided a small cash award to the winners.

Statistics:

  • 14-18 years old: The age range of the contestants in the Teen Substance Abuse Awareness through Music Contest.
  • 25 entries: The number of entries received by the contest.
  • 3 winners: The number of winners selected for the top distinction in the contest.
  • 1 award: The small cash award given by the Visions Adolescent Treatment Center to each of the winners.

Sources:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
  • MusiCares and Grammy Foundation
  • Visions Adolescent Treatment Center
  • National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
  • White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
  • The Recording Academy

Read more