Engaging youth in the Reel Reality: Fentanyl Awareness Film Contest

The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Department of Public Health (DPH) and Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez have partnered to launch an exciting and impactful initiative – Reel Reality: Fentanyl Awareness Film Contest. This creative campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl while empowering the voices of San Bernardino County’s youth.

First-ever Reel Reality Film Contest invites high school students from the county’s Second District to create powerful short films addressing the fentanyl epidemic. These films aim to spark honest, meaningful conversations about fentanyl’s devastating impact on individuals and communities, while delivering messages of hope and highlighting available resources.

This initiative is a unique collaboration between students, educators, community members and county leadership, all united in the mission to combat the opioid crisis. Through the creativity and perspective of our youth, we aim to inspire awareness and action in the fight against fentanyl.

By combining behavioral health expertise, public health initiatives and community leadership, the campaign delivers a unified and hopeful message to educate and protect our residents. San Bernardino County remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the opioid crisis and fostering the well-being of its communities.

Contest details:
Submissions are now open for high school students in the county’s Second District. The Second District includes Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, the northern part of Upland, and nearby unincorporated communities.

Winners will receive scholarships sponsored by the Second District Board of Supervisors Office.

Join us in celebrating the creativity and impact of our local youth at the Reel Reality Red-Carpet Screening, scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 15, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the AMC Victoria Gardens 12 theater, located at 12600 N. Mainstreet in Rancho Cucamonga.

To learn more about the Reel Reality: Fentanyl Film Contest, submit a short film, or register for the red-carpet event, visit www.eventcreate.com/e/reelrealityarmendarez. For additional questions, please contact the Department of Behavioral Health at dbh_pio@dbh.sbcounty.com.

Click the link below to watch a special message from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez: Watch the video.

Together, let’s inspire hope, spark awareness and take a stand against fentanyl in our communities.

Additional County Update News – Jan. 30, 2025