“DRUG AWARENESS SPEECH”
Contest Rules

“Criminalization or Rehabilitation”

1. Speech Subject
     a. Criminalization or Rehabilitation - The speech should explore the way we as a society deal with drug users and addicts. Is it more effective to criminalize the
         actions of individuals or is it more effective to attempt rehabilitation. Make a case for, and support, your conclusion.
2. Contest Rules ( NOTE: the rules listed below are not complete; see MD-2 website for additional information and contact the district coordinated listed
    at bottom of this web page )
     a. The Title of the Contestant’s speech is not required to be the same as the Subject for the speech. Contestants should be creative in the selection of a
         speech title and set the tone for their presentation with the title they choose.
     b. The presentation should analyze the problem given in the subject and present a solution or solutions to the problem.
     c. Research for this topic can be conducted by interviewing school officials, teachers, judges, law enforcement personnel, probation personnel, counselors,
         juvenile court officials, legislators, medical personnel and by using the internet and library.
     d. The topic is broad and allows the contestant considerable leeway in the selection of their solution or solutions.
     e. Sources of data and quotes should be identified by title, author and date published (year if known).
     f. Creative, innovative, practical, and reasonable ideas are welcomed.
     g. The speech will be from five (5) to seven (7) minutes in length.
           i. A monitor will signal contestants at five (5) minutes and at six and one half (6-1/2) minutes.
          ii. At seven (7) minutes, the monitor will signal and five (5) points will be deducted from contestants’ score.
         iii. A speech of less than five (5) or more than seven and a half (7-1/2) minutes will be disqualified.
         iv. Should a disturbance occur during a speech, the contest monitor will adjust the time accordingly.
     h. Notes, cue cards and video equipment may not be used at District or MD-2 State contests.
     i. All contests shall be conducted in the English language and Contestants, during contest presentations, shall speak English.
     j. The contest area must have good acoustics, be free from outside noises and disturbances, and have controlled access.
     k. Immediately prior to the commencement of the contest, Contestants will draw for the order of appearance before the judging panel.
     l. Contestants shall remain outside the contest area until invited to enter by the Contest Official.
     m. The audience will be informed before the first contestant to not applaud at the end of the speech and reminded before each contestant delivers his/her
          speech of the same requirement.
     n. The audience will be asked to turn off any cell phones and/or electronic devices during the contest time.
            i. Failure to comply with this rule could result in disqualification of a Contestant at the discretion of the Contest Official.
     o. Contestants will not give any self-introduction but shall state the title of their speech and then deliver the speech.
     p. Following the Contestant’s speech he/she will take a seat in the area assigned for the Contestants and remain in the contest area until the final speech
         is presented, judges have completed scoring the contest and introductions have been completed.
             i. The Contest Official may allow an exemption of this requirement for medical reasons/emergencies, restroom breaks or for other reasons deemed
                acceptable by the Contest Official.
            ii. Request may be made between Contestant presentations only.
     q. No one will be allowed to either enter the contest area during an essay, or leave once they have entered, until all of the Contestants have presented their
         speeches and the Judges have finished scoring the Contestant.
      r. When all speeches have been presented, Contestants, in the order of their presentation, will stand and state their names, hometowns, ages, schools,
         grade levels, and their District and Lions Club sponsors.
     s. At the end of this process, the audience may then collectively applaud all Contestants.
     t. Persons involved in conducting of the contest; parents, chaperones, and guests of the Contestants, may then be introduced at the discretion of the
        Contest Official, as time allows.
     u. The winners will be announced during the Texas Lions MD-2 Youth Luncheon at noon.
     v. The 1st place winner will present his/her speech at that time.
3. The scholarship awards must be collected no later than two years following the recipient’s graduation from High School.
4. Rules of Eligibility for Contestants
     a. Each contestant must be or have been a regularly enrolled student in a public high school or comparable educational program, located in Texas,
     b. Each contestant must be a junior, senior or immediate graduate at the time of the MD-2 contest in May 2012.
     c. Contestants shall not have been married, had a marriage annulled, cohabited with a person of the opposite sex who is unrelated to the Contestant
         or who has participated in the conception of a child before participation in the MD-2 contest.
5. Responsibilities of Contestants
     a. Attend the District 2-A2 Convention in Converse, Texas on April 12-13, 2012.
     b. Submit a Printed Copy of the Speech to be received within two weeks of the 2-A2 Convention. Failure to supply the printed copy of the speech will result
         in a forfeiture of any awards earned in the contest.
            1. The printed copy of the speech will not be used for judging purposes, but shall be used for publication and contest promotion purposes.
     c. All contestants must agree to be available, upon request to participate in district 2-A2 Lions events and activities during the period from
         immediately after the contest until the end of the following years contest.
6. Chaperone/Sponsoring Club Responsibilities
     a. All contestants shall be accompanied by a chaperone from their sponsoring District to the convention.
     b. Comply with requirements as set forth in the Texas Lions MD-2 Opportunities for Youth contest Chaperone Guidelines.
7. Contest Coordinator Contact Information

Lion Eddie Williams
Email:  ewill1192482@aol.com

First Place Awardee is to present his/her speech at the Texas Lions MD-2 State Competition to be held in Houston, Texas May 18-19, 2012 at Sheraton North Houston in Houston, Texas. District 2-A2 will pay reasonable travel, meals and lodging expenses.

Link to MD2 state competition information, rules, code of conduct, and more important information:
MD-2 Youth Contests