DEFY educates youth about drug use Published July 15, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Devin Boyer 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Drug Education for Youth program returns to Goodfellow July 8 to 18 to influence character, leadership and confidence in children so they can live healthy lifestyles as drug-free citizens. DEFY is an annual free program for children, ages 9 through 12, of Defense Department employees. The program offers education about drug abuse, gang involvement and crime while developing positive social skills through team building, conflict resolution and decision making activities. "DEFY is a great vehicle for educating the youth about drugs," said Navy Cryptologist Technician Collection 1st Class Evan T. Chauvette, Navy Center for Information Dominance Detachment instructor and DEFY counselor. "I love the DEFY program because it's not just education, but it's also fun for the kids." The DEFY program here has two phases. The first phase is a summer camp where parents drop their children off in the morning and pick them up in the evening. During the first phase, the DEFY camp members learned about drug use and the effects it has on people who take them. "I learned that you shouldn't smoke or do drugs because you can get lung cancer," said Wesley Chauvette, DEFY camp member. Dakota Malone, DEFY camp junior counselor, is in her eighth year with the program. "I learned more of the side effects of doing drugs," said Malone. "I always knew they were bad for you and you shouldn't do them, but I never really understood why, so [DEFY] taught me the side effects and how it messes with your body and your brain." Outside of the classroom, the children partook in recreational activities like tug-of-war, swimming and ice skating. "[DEFY] is an opportunity for kids to interact with each other and socialize in a structured environment where they can learn positive reinforcement," said Evan Chauvette. After the first phase is over, DEFY continues through a phase two program. The phase two program takes place during the school year in which the mentors meet up with the children on a monthly basis to catch up with them and help them with any problems they may have. For more information about DEFY, contact the Navy Detachment at 325-654-3668.
