| Image Alt: | Ben Wicks illustrated cover of Elementary Safety Book for Children |
| Editor: | Toni Ziganash |
| Frequency: | Annual |
| Category: | Young Teens |
| Company: | Regional Maple Leaf Communications Inc |
| Country: | Canada |
| Based: | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Language: | English |
Drug Facts For Young People is an English-language magazine published annually by Regional Maple Leaf Communications Inc.[1] It was first published in 1986 and is aimed at young teens.[2] Drug Facts For Young People focuses on making young people aware of their own values, the influences of their peers and role models, and encourages them to make a positive choice regarding drugs such as alcohol.[3] Some schools in US and Canada use the book as an extra curriculum activity.[4] Drug Facts For Young People has been endorsed by the RCMP Foundation since 1999 and was formerly illustrated by Ben Wicks from 1996 - 2000.[5] [6] [7] After his death, RMC created "The Ben Wicks Award" in his honor and each year, up-and coming artists from Canada and the US entered the contest for a chance to win the right to illustrate the book and collect the $10,000 prize.[8]
In 2010, RMC chose a former Ben Wicks Award Winner for Elementary Safety Book, Canadian artist Bob Hahn, to create a unique set of animal characters for the publication and the new accompanying website drugfacts4youngpeople.com.[9] Drugfacts4youngpeople.com hosts annual vids4kids contest, which is a five thousand dollars video contest with various drug prevention related topics each year.[10]
Former Ben Wicks Award Winners and Illustrators for Drug Facts For Young People Book