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Drug Education for Youth (DEFY)

 


Goal
Empower military youth to build positive, healthy lifestyles as drug-free, successful citizens.
 
Mission
Improve combat readiness by providing a drug demand reduction and comprehensive life skills program designed to improve youth resiliency and strength.
 
Vision
To combat threats facing our nation, the Navy and Marine Corps require highly trained and skilled professionals who are focused and clearly dedicated to mission accomplishment. Distractions contribute to personal injury, property loss, and mission failure.
During periods of forward deployment, Sailors and Marine Corps families remain behind with a burden of maintaining a family home front with the absence of one or more parents. Maintaining quality of life for military families is essential to alleviate some of the anxiety inherent to leaving family behind.
DEFY gives youth between ages 9 and 12 skills that equip them to lead a positive, healthy, and drug-free lifestyle. Through drug education, leadership and character development, positive mentoring, and community outreach, DEFY enhances the quality of life for military personnel and their families. The DEFY curriculum aims to strengthen identified protective factors that reduce risks for substance misuse, gang involvement, bullying, crime, and other destructive behaviors. Navy and Marine Corps members are better able to concentrate on and accomplish their mission when their families are encouraged and their children develop positive life skills.

How DEFY Works
SECNAVINST 5355.3A implemented the DEFY Program within the Department of the Navy. DEFY has a professionally developed curriculum that incorporates key characteristics of successful substance misuse prevention programs identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the program is based on best practices determined by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). To ensure the program remains timely and relevant, the curriculum is reviewed and updated periodically.

DEFY is a yearlong program consisting of:
  • A structured 5-day residential or 8-day non-residential summer program
  • Monthly mentoring events
  • Classroom learning
  • Educational field trips
  • A fitness challenge
Studies completed by respected universities and independent evaluators have demonstrated that DEFY's curriculum produces measurable, positive outcomes in:
  • Resistance skills
  • Social behavior
  • Self-esteem
  • Attitudes towards alcohol
  • Attitudes towards smoking
  • Knowledge of drugs
Contact Us:

Commercial:  (901) 874-3300  DSN: 312-882-3300

Email: MILL_N17_DEFY@NAVY.MIL

Fax: (901) 874-4228 DSN: 312-882-4228


Resources:
DEFY Program Guide
Promote Your Program
DEFY Program Fact Sheet
DEFY Volunteer Fact Sheet


Social Media: 
https://www.facebook.com/N173DEFY


DEFY Site Locations:
2022-2023 DEFY Sites
 
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