Effective immediately, OPNAV N173 is no longer the resource sponsor for the Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) program. Commands that elect to operate a DEFY program assume responsibility as the resource sponsor, to include identification and execution of required funding.
DEFY and all Drug Demand Reduction Programs (DDRP) are not suspended and may continue to be executed at the command level at the discretion of the commanding officer.
OPNAV N173 remains the policy proponent and functional authority for DEFY and all DDRP-related initiatives and awards. In this role, N173 will continue to provide policy guidance, execution direction, best practices, and technical assistance to commands requiring support in program implementation or compliance.
Commands seeking assistance with program execution, policy interpretation, or DDRP-related awards are encouraged to coordinate directly with OPNAV N173. Please direct all questions and concerns to Mr. Allen Moore at allen.l.moore10.civ@us.navy.mil.
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:
Studies completed by respected universities and independent evaluators have demonstrated that DEFY's curriculum produces measurable, positive outcomes in: