"Say no to drugs" advises the billboard off Route 31, about four miles south of Westminster. For good measure, it shows cigarettes and marijuana as objects of rejection.

The idea is advocated by many, but the design belongs strictly to 11-year-old Brendan MacDaniel.

The Westminster Elementary School student beat out more than 500 other fifth-graders from 15 county elementary schools who submitted poster designs, said Westminster Patrolman 1st Class Michael Bible, the billboard project coordinator.

The contest was sponsored by the city Police Department and Bair Outdoor Advertising Co.

Winning contestants at each school received awards, Patrolman Bible said.