Rules and regulations

The DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2025, organised by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), together with appointed vendor, CreativesAtWork Pte Ltd (henceforth referred to as the “Organiser”), aims to engage youths with a keen interest in video production and content creation. Centred on a theme which supports the DrugFreeSG mission, the competition gives youths a creative platform to share their perspective of the drug-free message. We hope that their It also encourages youths to help amplify the anti-drug messages to their family and friends.

All participants of the DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2025 are required to adhere to this set of rules and regulations stipulated by CNB and the Organiser to be eligible for participation in the competition.

1. ELIGIBILITY

This competition is open to all youths between the age of 12* and 25 (as of the closing date of submission of video entries, 14 September 2025).
Participants can include locally based non-students or registered students from all secondary schools, international schools, private educational institutions, vocational institutes / ITEs, junior colleges, centralised institutes, polytechnics, and tertiary institutions.
Participants must be Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or foreigners residing in Singapore on a valid Singapore Immigration Pass (e.g., Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass) during the period of competition.

2. CATEGORIES

The competition categories and length of video are as tabulated:
CATEGORY LENGTH OF VIDEO
Youths
(aged between 12* and 16)
Up to 5 minutes (Excluding credits)
Young Adults
(aged between 17 and 25)
Up to 5 minutes (Excluding credits)

* Refers to secondary school students who are still 12 years old at the time of entry submission

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Participants may either form a team of up to 5 persons or participate in the competition alone. Particulars of all team members must be provided in the registration form.
Each team should designate one member as the team leader to represent the team to liaise with the Organiser.
Participants who are students may either form a team across different schools or within their respective schools.
Each school can send more than one team to participate in the video competition but the members in each team must be unique (i.e., individuals can only participate in one category of the competition).
Participation in the video competition and workshop is free of charge.
The registration is to be submitted on the competition microsite (drugfree.sg)

4. REQUIREMENTS FOR VIDEO SUBMISSION

The overarching theme for the competition is “ARE WE UNINFLUENCED?”, where we explore the real consequences of drugs when they become normalised and glamourised in culture. Here are some sub-themes to guide participants along:

Youths

Young Adults

Narrative

“Hypes Fade. Damage Stays”
Do we have the courage to navigate influences related to drug abuse, even when being ‘open-minded’ about drugs seems on trend?

“One Choice, Many Lives”
A decision made can have a ripple effect on our family and friends. Are we aware of what influences our choices around the issue of drug abuse, and what guides us in making the right choice where it counts?

“Navigating Cultureˮ
Are we aware of the things in our environment or culture that influence our attitudes on drug abuse? How do we navigate
negative influences related to drug abuse, even when the popular view is permissive towards drugs?

“The Journey Towards Recovery”
Willpower alone is not enough for recovery from drug addiction. How can loved ones and the community support those who were vulnerable towards drug abuse?

Documentary

“Lens Filters – Hype vs Realityˮ
Can we distinguish between what is glamourised and what is the reality around drugs and drug abuse? How do we verify and decide what is true and of value to us?

“Tough Choices: Drawing Down The Line On Drugsˮ
Are the laws in Singapore purposefully strict? Why is drug abuse illegal?

“Breaking Through The Smoke Screen of Cannabis Culture”
Impact of normalising drug abuse: Cultural influence of cannabis marketing.

“The Harsh Truth?”
Are the laws in Singapore purposefully strict or simply too harsh?

Participants are strongly encouraged to anchor research and film content on commonly abused drugs in Singapore, such as cannabis, methamphetamine, new psychoactive substances. Participants are also encouraged to focus on communicating the harmful impact of the normalisation of drug abuse in their immediate social environments and in society today.
Participants may visit CNB’s YouTube Channel (@CNB.DrugFreeSG) for reference of past winning entries.
The tone of the video can be educational, instructional, inspiring, persuasive etc. Videos can be in the form of fictional narrative or non-fiction documentaries. Fully animated videos are not allowed for the competition. However, animated graphics are allowed to be used within the live-action video to enhance the film.
All videos submitted should be up to 5 minutes only, excluding credits. Teams will be disqualified if their submitted entries do not meet the stipulated duration.
Scenes involving vivid intravenous drug-taking, and other non-palatable/factually inaccurate scenes should not be featured.
The video must not contain anything that is libellous, defamatory, obscene, indecent, harmful, abusive, harassing, threatening, vulgar materials (including language), images that directly glorify drug use or will expose CNB and/or the Organiser to any civil or criminal proceedings.
The video can be produced using any available tools such as digital cameras, camcorders, video capabilities on mobile phones and tablets, etc., so long as it is in a format that is clear and can be uploaded on YouTube and social media platforms. Software used must not be unlicensed or illegally obtained.
The onus is on the participating team to ensure that all approvals and permissions for use of materials within the video have been obtained before submission. This includes (but is not limited to) materials such as music, use of locations, use of visuals, etc. Proper permits must also be obtained for drone filming and filming in public and/or private premises. CNB and the Organiser will not be held responsible for any unauthorised use of the above by the participants.
Participants must ensure that there is no prominent display of brands (which may require copyright clearance) in their videos.
All charges incurred by the participants in the course of filming for this competition must be borne by the participants. CNB and the Organiser will not reimburse participants for any materials or resources used in the production of their videos, or any expenses related to their participation in the competition.
Each video entry must have a title and accompanying synopsis.
Subtitles in English must be included when languages other than English are spoken or where applicable.
The video should also include the following:
- Title of the video
- Team Name
- Name of Team Members
- “For a #DrugFreeSG organised by Central Narcotics Bureau”
- Name of School (where applicable)

5. USE OF AI TOOLS AND GENERATED CONTENT

Participants are allowed to use AI-generation tools to aid with story planning and video production/editing (e.g., scriptwriting, animation, voiceovers, or special effects).
Originality and Authorship: The final submission must reflect the participant’s original ideas and creative direction. AI-generated content must not constitute the entirety of the work but should be integrated as a tool to enhance the participant’s creativity.
If AI tools are used, participants must disclose the tools utilised and the extent of their contribution in a brief accompanying description submitted with their video. A disclaimer on the use of AI must also be included in the credits of the film.
Participants must ensure that all AI-generated content complies with ethical guidelines, including avoiding deepfake technology for misrepresentation, offensive material, or infringement of copyright and intellectual property rights.
The participant is fully responsible for the final submission, including ensuring that AI-generated elements do not violate the rights of third parties or any applicable laws.

6. JUDGING CRITERIA

Video entries will be judged by a panel of CNB officials and judges appointed by the Organiser. The decision of the panel is FINAL, and no correspondences, enquiries or appeals will be entertained.
The judging criteria and score allocation are as follows:

Judging Rubrics	Score Allocation
Relevance to theme Does the film explain the competition theme?	25%
Clarity of the anti-drug element Does the film provide good anti-drug messaging?	25%
Creativity/Storytelling & Research Accuracy Is the storyline creative? Are facts well-researched, accurate, and well-presented or provide credible?	15%
Originality of video Is the video original?	15%
Overall impact/Messaging¹ Is the film educational, inspirational and impactful?	10%
Camera work/Cinematography How are the on-screen visual elements, lighting, framing, composition, camera angles, etc.?	5%
Audio/Video editing What is the overall visual and sound quality?	5%
Total	100%

CNB reserves the right to publicise, and/or broadcast the winners’ names, likeness, images, or characters at any time the Bureau deems appropriate.
CNB reserves the right to cancel any competition category.
CNB reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw any of the rules and regulations stipulated without prior notice.
CNB reserves the right not to award any of the prizes should the video entry, as assessed by the judging panel, fail to meet the required standards.
Submissions will be judged on the creativity, relevance, and overall quality of the final video, with no specific preference or disadvantage for the use or non-use of AI tools.

¹ This criterion will determine if the video is educational, inspiring, or persuasive.

7. COMPETITION TIMELINE

The timeline of the competition is summarised below:

ACTIVITY	DATE³
Closing date for submission of entries	14 September 2025 (Sunday)
Announcement of competition results	3 October 2025 (Friday)
Online Voting for Popularity Contest²	6 to 12 October 2025 (Monday to Sunday)
Announcement of Popularity Contest results	13 October 2025 (Monday)

² The video entries will be uploaded onto the competition microsite (drugfree.sg.) for online voting by members of the public. Participants may get their friends or family members to vote for the entries.

8. SUBMISSION

The closing date for submission of video entry is 14 September 2025 (Friday), Singapore Time 23:59 hours.
Late entries will not be accepted.
Submission requirements:
1. 1. Video file in .mp4 or mov format or a downloadable Google Drive link of the video;
  2. Fully completed and signed registration form; and
  3. Feedback forms completed by ALL Participants
Video files should be labelled clearly based on this naming convention: <Video Title> – <Team Name> <Name of School (if applicable)> (E.g., Say No to Drugs – ABC123 Bedok South Secondary School)
Video entries will be screened for compliance with the Rules and Regulations stipulated in this document.
Video entries must be submitted online via the online registration form on the competition microsite (drugfree.sg) before the deadline.
Participants may contact the Organiser via email or WhatsApp if they face difficulties in submitting their video file.

9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Within 2 working days upon receipt of the submission, the Organiser will send a receipt of acknowledgement to the team leader via the email address provided in the registration form.
Participants will be notified if their submissions are incomplete. Participants may resend their submission as long as it is before the deadline.
No email acknowledgement will be sent to the teams whose submissions are received 24 hours before the deadline.

10. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

Winners of the video competition will be notified via email within 5 working days after announcement on 14 September 2025 (Sunday).
Winners of the popularity contest will be notified via email within 5 working days after announcement on 13 October 2025 (Monday).
The notification will be sent to the team leader via the email address provided in the registration form. Results will also be published on CNB’s Facebook, Instagram and/or the competition microsite.

11. VIDEOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

There will be a free videography workshop on 12 April 2025³ (Saturday) for participants of the DrugFreeSG Video Competition 2025. More information on the workshop will be made available via the competition microsite, as well as CNB’s Facebook and Instagram page nearer to date.
All team members are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop and they are required to register via the competition microsite by 4 April 2025 (Friday).

³ Date/time of the workshop may be subjected to changes due to unforeseen circumstances. All registered participants will be duly notified by the Organiser.

12. AFTER COMPETITION

CNB reserves the rights to select winning and outstanding entries (credits will be duly given) to be uploaded on CNB’s YouTube Channel.
Any videos posted on YouTube will be subject to YouTube’s privacy policy.
By submitting a video for this competition, participants are deemed to have granted CNB a royalty-free licence to copy, distribute, modify, display, and perform publicly, and otherwise use, and authorise others to use the video for any educational purpose throughout the world and in any media without requirement for any further consent, compensation, or approval from participants.
CNB reserves the right to make all video entries submitted for this competition available to the general public from its website, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, and to distribute the purposes, including, but not limited to, on Internet sites, at conferences and events, on television and other media outlets.
CNB reserves the right to modify the videos submitted for this competition to enhance its aesthetic appeal before screening, and to broadcast the videos in any medium/venue as CNB deems appropriate.
CNB may invite winning teams to share their experiences at the next competition workshop. Winning teams of both Youth and Young Adults Categories may also be invited for an opportunity to work with CNB on other projects after the competition.

13. COPYRIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES

All rights and materials shall remain the property of the team. By submitting an entry, the team grants CNB a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works from the submission for promotional, marketing, educational, and archival purposes.
If teams wish to include music in the video, only self-composed or royalty-free music can be used to prevent infringement of copyrights. The videos must not contain or make references to any names, products or services of any company or entity or any third-party trademarks, logos, trade dress or promotion of any brand, product, or service. Videos found to have committed plagiarism will be disqualified.
The team warrants that the final products do not infringe any existing IP rights and that they do not contain any obscene, indecent, objectionable or libellous materials. CNB reserves the right to direct the team to amend or delete such materials.
The team agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified CNB, their successors or assigns against any liability, action, proceedings, claims, demands, costs, damages and expenses which may be incurred or levied or brought against the Authority in relation to any infringement of any third-party’s intellectual property rights in the final products.

14. DISQUALIFICATION

CNB reserves the right to disqualify any entries it deems to contain offensive material, or that it believes to not comply with any of the foregoing requirements or provision of the Rules and Regulations stated in this document, or the site usage agreement of Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram without explanation. CNB’s decision on this and all matters pertaining to the competition shall be final and binding with no right for appeal.
Video entries must not have been previously submitted in any competitions or accepted for media (e.g., internet, radio, television, social media platforms).
Participants must ensure that there is no plagiarism or violation of copyrighted work. Permission must be granted from the original creator or copyright owner if any non-original elements (e.g., photographs, music, screen shots) are used. Participants are required to furnish CNB with proof of relevant copyright permissions, without delay, upon request. Any entry that contains elements that have not cleared copyright will be disqualified.
Participants must ensure that their submissions do not violate any laws, statutes, or regulations (including without limitations, intellectual property rights, trade secrets, privacy, publicity, or other rights) of any relevant parties.
Videos that copy or spoof existing local or foreign stories or advertisements will be disqualified.
CNB reserves the right to review, withdraw, or suspend the submissions in part if any of the conditions are not satisfied, or if any part of the video is against public interest, public order or national harmony or offends the good taste of decency.

15. ACCEPTANCE

By accepting these Rules and Regulations, participants verify that they have read through and agreed to all the Rules and Regulations for this competition.
By accepting these Rules and Regulations, participants warrant that the information which they have submitted and/or distributed will not infringe the intellectual property, privacy, or any other rights of any third party, and will not contain anything which is libellous, defamatory, obscene, indecent, harassing or threatening.
CNB reserves the right, but not the obligation, to screen, filter and/or monitor information provided by participants, and to edit, refuse to distribute or remove the information.
By accepting these Rules and Regulations, participants warrant that all information submitted is true, current, and complete.
In consideration of CNB and the Organiser agreeing to consider participants for the competition, by accepting these Rules and Regulations, each participant assigns to CNB the complete copyright and all other rights in any submission, which shall be for the full period of copyright.
CNB shall be free to assign such rights to third parties.
The Rules and Regulations are subject to change as and when CNB deems fit.

16. PRIZES

The prizes for each winning team of the respective categories are as follows:
CATEGORY Cash Prizes (S$)
First Second Third Merit
(2 Per Category)
Youths 2,500.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 800.00
Young Adults 2,500.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 800.00

Popularity Contest

Category Prizes for Most Popular Video
Youths S$100.00 Shopping Voucher
Young Adults S$100.00 Shopping Voucher
Online Voting⁴ 2 x S$50.00 Shopping Voucher
Prizes must be accepted as awarded. The prizes are neither refundable nor transferable.
The Authority reserves the right to change the prizes, but the value will remain.
Prize winners will be duly notified via CNB’s Facebook, Instagram and the competition’s microsite.

⁴ Only online voters who did not participate in the video competition are eligible to vote and stand a chance to win the prizes.

17. PRIZE COLLECTION

The Organiser will work with the winning teams to obtain their details to facilitate prize collection.
While cash prizes will be directly transferred to the team leader or school’s account, the prizes for the Popularity Contest are to be collected by the team leader or team’s teacher-in-charge.
To facilitate smooth processing, winning teams are to respond to the Organiser’s email within 14 working days for collection arrangement after the release of results on 13 October 2025, Monday.
CNB and the Organiser reserve the right to forfeit the prizes if winning teams do not respond to the Organiser’s email/call after 14 working days from the release of the results.

18. OTHER MATTERS

For enquiries, please contact:

ORGANISER
Contact Person : Yen Lyng
Company : CreativesAtWork Pte Ltd
Contact :
- Email: contact@drugfree.sg or
- Yen-Lyng (wa.link/v70ses)