Edwards youth 'DEFY' drugs with mentor program

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Edwards continues to fight the war on drugs by arming youth with drug education through the DEFY program. 

DEFY, or Drug Education for Youth, is a program originally created by the Navy in 1993 to raise the quality of life by targeting self-esteem and drug education in military families' children ages 9 to 12. 

The program was later adopted by the Air Force in 1999. Edwards tested the program before it was implemented to other Air Force bases in 2000. 

"Our young people are at high risk," said Gwendolyn Turner, Drug Demand Reduction substance abuse prevention specialist. "These types of programs help our young people in recognizing, avoiding and resisting elicit drugs," 

DEFY is a two-phase program, which lasts 10 months. Summer camp is the first phase of the program. For this summer, the program will be held at the Oasis Community Center from July 18 through 27. 

During the camp, children participate in activities such as arts and crafts, substance abuse awareness training and a field trip to the Santa Monica Pier and Aquarium. 

Carolyn Graves, Drug Demand Reduction's acting program manager, said it's important for children to receive early education about drug abuse and its effects to their body and society. 

"DEFY teaches skills the children will find to be very useful as they get older," she said. 

During phase two of the program, the children will receive mentors for one-on-one interaction at least once a month. 

Mentors are volunteers who receive training from the Drug Demand Reduction office.
They need to have a flexible schedule to ensure they meet with the children regularly during the entire duration of the program. 

"It's a great opportunity for the community to get involved," Mrs. Turner said. "We really appreciate the time and effort the mentors contribute into the program." 

The children will also get an opportunity to visit an exotic feline compound. 

In addition, the kids participate in a physical fitness program, which lasts the entire 10 months. 

They are graded on a points system throughout the year and receive prizes for their physical accomplishments. 

"Some of the kids, who were very shy, developed into leaders as they went through the program," Mrs. Graves said. "They might not have received the chance to build their self-esteem without the help of the program." 

This program instills leadership, teamwork, coping skills and physical fitness, she said. 

Anyone over the age of 12 has the potential of mentoring, however, the DDR requires background checks for volunteers for the safety of the children. 

The program is a first come, first served basis as the class is limited to 30 children. For more information call Drug Demand Reduction at 277-1354.