United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON) - Three Madison, Connecticut high school students have won the grand prize in the Operation Prevention Video Challenge with a message about how not to let your life get “swallowed up by an opioid addiction.”

The DEA, DEA Educational Foundation, and Discovery Education awarded Kyle Citrin, Clay Knibbs, and Carter Soboleski of Daniel Hand High (Madison Public School District) the $10,000 Operation Prevention Video Challenge grand prize. The students also received the most votes during the People’s Choice award voting period, earning them a trip for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of DEA’s Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia for their video entitled “The Cork Board.”

For the first time the Operation Prevention Video Challenge asked teenagers across the nation to submit 30-60 second public service video announcements to educate their peers about the current opioid epidemic. Kyle, Clay, and Carter’s video focused on a powerful message of “being together and having fun” with those you cherish the most - family and friends - instead of being pulled away by opioids. The PSA warns that opioids “dictate your actions,” and urged other teens not to “let your life get swallowed up by an opioid addiction--  get help.” 

“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. “Congratulations to them: I’m grateful they lent their voice and creativity to this important cause.”

The winning video was chosen by a panel of judges at Discovery Education, DEA and the DEA Education Foundation.

Other winners include:

• Second Place: Monet Massac of Brooklyn Friends School in Brooklyn, New York will receive $5,000 for the PSA video “The Twins.”
• Third Place: Nate Trillo of Midlothian Heritage High (Midlothian School District) of Midlothian, TX will receive $1,000 for his video “Real Life.”

The scholarships awarded to all the winners were provided courtesy of the DEA Educational Foundation.

The videos of the winners can all be viewed at: https://www.operationprevention.com/video-challenge. 

The Video Challenge is part of Operation Prevention, a joint nationwide education initiative that educates students about the science behind addiction and its impact on the brain and body. Available at no cost to users, the initiative’s resources help promote lifesaving discussions in the home and classroom.

“The top 10 finalists should be very proud and congratulated for their incredible efforts and impressive videos,” said T.J. Salutari, Principal at Daniel Hand High School. “Students taking such a proactive part in communicating the dangers associated with opioid abuse is inspiring. I am especially proud of our students and their teacher as they have positively represented our entire school community.”
  
"Congratulations to the winners for creating these powerful videos and a big thank you to their schools and their families for supporting this inaugural project,” said Kevin Hartmann, President of the DEA Educational Foundation. "Our hope is that these amazing teenagers will continue to help us spread the important message about the dangers of opioid abuse."

For more information, visit: https://www.operationprevention.com/

About the Drug Enforcement (DEA -

The mission of the DEA is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.

About the DEA Educational Foundation -

Established in 2001, the DEA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preventing drug abuse. The foundation supports the DEA through advocacy, outreach, and educational programs.

About Discovery Education -

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Media Contacts

Barbara Carreno, Drug Enforcement Administration
(202) 307-7977 Barbara.L.Carreno@usdoj.gov

Dara Klatt Discovery Education                               
(240) 662-3043, Dara_Klatt@discovery.com
Or Lauren DeNu, Discovery Education
240-662-5315   Lauren_DeNu@discovery.com