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One of the most famous anti-drug PSAs got an update, and it's brilliant.

This is your brain on drug policy.

Rachael Leigh Cook is back with the sequel to 1997's "your brain on drugs" PSA we didn't know we needed until now.

You might think that if she were going to bring back a famous character, she'd go for Laney Boggs from "She's All That" or maybe Josie from "Josie and the Pussycats," but this is even better (and honestly, much more important).

Cook in the 1997 PSA. Photo from Partnership for a Drug-Free America/YouTube.

You might remember the original ad, courtesy of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, in which Cook smashes her way through a diner with a frying pan to illustrate all the ways that doing drugs will ruin your life. It was a powerful TV spot with an effective message: Use drugs at your own peril!

But there's one issue: The original ad left out some important details about who is affected by the War on Drugs, what effect it actually had, and why we need to put an end to it.

In the new PSA, Cook again picks up a frying pan, this time to lay out a solid case for putting an end to the soul-crushing consequences of the newly revived War on Drugs.

Millions of people use drugs, but not all of them will get caught. Cook's updated PSA tells the story of the lives of two drug users: one who gets caught and one who doesn't.

A user convicted of a drug-related crime might struggle to find employment, housing, or even education. These crimes can be relatively small — such as possession of a single Oxycontin pill, possession of two joints, or trafficking — with hefty, decades-long sentences and a wrecked future.

[rebelmouse-image 19527460 dam="1" original_size="750x390" caption="Image from Green Point Creative/YouTube." expand=1]Image from Green Point Creative/YouTube.

The War on Drugs fuels mass incarceration, targets people of color, destroys communities, and costs billions of dollars. So why do we do it?

Maybe that's why Cook looks and sounds just as righteously pissed-off as she did in the '97 original, and maybe that's what we all need to do — because the War on Drugs just doesn't make sense.

[rebelmouse-image 19527461 dam="1" original_size="750x390" caption="Cook in 2017. Image from Green Point Creative/YouTube." expand=1]Cook in 2017. Image from Green Point Creative/YouTube.

Watch the updated PSA below, and learn more about how you can get involved in the fight against the War on Drugs at the Drug Policy Alliance.

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Meet the 18-year-old advocating for teen mental health, one inspiring podcast at a time

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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