Students from nine Johnston County high schools competed in “Rotary Against Drugs” speech competition recently.

The first- through fifth-place winners of the county contest are now eligible to compete in the district competition at North Carolina State University March 4.

Bridgette Turner who attends Clayton High, won first place in the contest. She was sponsored by the Clayton Morning Rotary Club.

Second place went to Taylor Leposa who attends Smithfield-Selma High School and represents Clayton Mid-Day Rotary Club.

George Smith who attends South Johnston and represents the Clayton Morning Rotary Club, won third and Ashley Fuchs of Corinth Holders High School won fifth place. She was sponsored by the Central Johnston Rotary Club.

The speeches are an opportunity to practice public speaking skills and add recognition points to resumes.

Turner, the first place winner titled her speech “Drug Prevention.”

“There is not one foolproof way to stop drug abuse all together, but there are many little ways to reduce it. Efforts on cracking down on drugs need to be stronger and the punishment for trafficking and using drugs

should be more severe. Schools could play bigger roles in this by giving harsher punishments. If kids caught with drugs had to work around their school or community, they would be less likely to risk being caught with drugs,” Turner said.