Healthy Lincoln County has partnered with four local schools to conduct PhotoVoice with students from grades 6-12. PhotoVoice is participatory-action research strategy by which students capture risk and protective factors towards substance use through photographs. Students spent several weeks critically examining factors about themselves, their friends, family and community that either encourage or discourage the use of drugs or alcohol. The photos will be displayed across Lincoln County throughout the month of May in an effort to create awareness and conversation about areas for change in our community.

The public is invited to view the students’ photos in several ways. The opening event for the exhibits will take place at The Lincoln Home in Newcastle on May 1 from 4-6 p.m. There will be light refreshments, as well as a short program from the students and HLC staff. Additional opening exhibits will take place at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library on May 2 from 4-6 p.m. and Rising Tide Community Market on May 4 from 4-6 p.m. The photos will also be on display throughout the month of May at the Waldoboro Public Library, Skidompha Library and Wiscasset Community Center for community members to enjoy. There will be a partner event with the Miller School student art exhibit at Tidemark Gallery in Waldoboro on May 14 and 15, both from 4-6 p.m.

“In order for us to fully address the issue of youth substance use in our community, we need to give our youth a voice. This project allows them to express how they see the issue of substance use,” says Emily Bauer, Project Coordinator of Healthy Lincoln County. She adds, “PhotoVoice allows us to hear directly from our youth, but it’s ultimately up to adults in the community to hear what they have to say and work with them to make changes.”

Photos have been submitted from sixth graders at Miller School, seventh and eighth graders at Nobleboro Central School, and high schoolers at Boothbay Region High School and Wiscasset Middle High School. School-based groups were advised by a variety of faculty members, including art teachers, school social workers, and health center staff.

Complete details and a list of showings can be found on the Healthy Lincoln County Facebook page. PhotoVoice is a project of the Lincoln County Substance Use Prevention Partnership. For more information, email info@healthylincolncounty.org, or call 563-1330.

Healthy Lincoln County (HLC) is a non-profit, community health organization that brings together partners to ensure the residents of Lincoln County have equitable access to health. HLC focuses on a number of strategies to support community health including substance use prevention, tobacco-free living, nutrition and food security, active living, and mental heal