Connecticut Teens Win 1st Place in Anti-drug PSA Contest

Three Connecticut teens snagged first place in Operation Prevention’s anti-drug video challenge.

Kyle Citrin, Clay Knibbs, and Carter Soboleski, who attend Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Connecticut, will split a $10,000 scholarship.

As part of the contest, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DEA Educational Foundation, and Discovery Education’s Operation Prevention, participants created 30 to 60 second original Public Service Announcements aimed at preventing other teens from abusing opioids.

The trio’s PSA, entitled “The Cork Board,” focused on the negative effects prescription drug abuse can have on family and friendship, and urged watchers not to “let your life get swallowed by up by an opioid addiction.”

(Watch the video at the bottom of the article)

“We must change the culture surrounding the use of dangerous drugs, and that requires all hands on deck. The best messengers of change for young adults are their peers. The fine work created by Kyle, Clay, and Carter carries a powerful message – that opioid abuse hurts more than just the user,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg.

In addition to the scholarship money, because the group’s video also won the People’s Choice Contest, they’ll also get a trip to Washington, D.C. which will include a day at the DEA’s Training Academy in Quantico for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.

Second place and a $5,000 scholarship went to Monet Massac of Brooklyn, New York for the PSA video “The Twins.” Nate Trillo of Midlothian, Texas won third place and a $1,000 scholarship for his PSA “Real Life.”

The DEA Educational Foundation funded the scholarships.

Check out the second and third place winning videos on Operation Prevention’s site.

Watch first place award-winning “The Cork Board” PSA below: