Goodfellow offers drug education to youth Published June 14, 2013 Navy Center for Information Dominance GODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Goodfellow's Navy Center for Information Dominance is offering a free Drug Education For Youth program, July 10 to 19. DEFY is a self-esteem building program that provides kids with the tools they need to resist drugs, gangs and alcohol. Initially developed by the Drug Demand Reduction Task Force, DEFY is sponsored by the local command and restricted to military family youth ages 9 to 12 from military families. A two phase program, DEFY begins in the summer with either a five-day residential or an eight-day non-residential camp program. The phase in the summer is followed by a year of mentoring. DEFY focuses on building children's self-image and setting goals. It stresses interpersonal relations, and emphasizes leadership and teamwork. It raises awareness of the effects of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the use of peer pressure to join gangs. DEFY utilizes military personnel as instructors during the summer leadership camp involving nearly 64 hours of contact time with youths. The instructors are primarily active duty personnel, but also include reservist, Defense Department civilians, DoD spouses and retirees. Unlike many programs, DEFY combines elements from many different youth programs, including physical fitness, educational trips, self-esteem and peer leadership development, decision-making, drug resistance and a formal graduation. Each child receives a youth workbook, three T-shirts, a ball cap, a backpack and two meals and snacks per day. Children are required to wear tennis shoes because of physical activities. For more information about DEFY or to sign up call Chief Petty Officer Thomas Long at 325-654-1590 or Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Hlad at 325-654-1595.
