The Cleveland Division of the FBI, along with the Cleveland Division of the DEA, the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorney’s Office, Westshore Enforcement Bureau, Robby’s Voice, and the FBI Cleveland Citizens Academy Foundation announce the 2018 Chasing the Dragon poster contest winners.

In 2016, The FBI and DEA collaborated and produced a documentary entitled, “Chasing the Dragon: the Life of an Opiate Addict.” This documentary was created to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of the dangers of opioid addiction. Heroin use and the misuse of prescription opioids continue to increase in pandemic proportions everywhere, including here in Northeast Ohio. Overdose deaths in our area are among the highest in the country.

Teens in grades 7th—12th were invited to create and submit a poster that focuses on the consequences of using heroin and/or misuse of prescription opioids.

Over one hundred seventy posters were submitted from forty schools in the Northern District of Ohio. The submitted posters were judged and the winners are:

7th-8th Grade Category

• 1st place – Emmet Creamer, Ruffing Montessori
• 2nd place – Hannah Gemmell, St. Vincent de Paul
• 3rd place – Zaja Na Be, Jennings Community Learning Center
• Honorable Mention – Curtis Gibson, Washington Park Community School

9th-10th Grade Category

• 1st place – Lindsey Wu, North Royalton High School
• 2nd place – Anya Osborne, Fairview High School
• 3rd place – Alexis Faile, Fairview High School
• Honorable Mention – Ashley Boledovic, Berea-Midpark High School

11th – 12th Grade Category

• 1st place – Andrea Caraballo Garcis, Thomas Jefferson Int’l Newcomers Academy
• 2nd place – Birenda Rai, Thomas Jefferson Int’l Newcomers Academy
• 3rd place – Theo Papadimoulis, Fairview High School
• Honorable Mention – Kayla Simonitis, Berea-Midpark High School

The winners will be receiving their award and cash prize provided by the FBI Cleveland Citizens Academy Foundation on Wednesday, May 22, 2018, 5:30 p.m., at the FBI Cleveland Division Field Office located at 1501 Lakeside Avenue. The winning posters will then be displayed in several public venues: area libraries, YMCAs, and recreation centers.

Representatives from the FBI Citizens Academy Foundation will also be presenting three $1,000 scholarship awards to high school seniors. The scholarship winners are: Joseph Giffels, Lakewood High School; Erin Higgins, Boardman High School; and Taylor Love, St. Martin de Porres.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to SA Vicki D Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or vdanderson@fbi.gov.