Drug Education For Youth (DEFY) is an innovative program that was developed by the Department of the Navy to reinforce positive values and teach important skills to youth aged 9 - 12. The program provides information about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and teaches important life skills to help youth resist drug use and grow up to be happy, healthy and productive adults.
DEFY has two phases. In Phase I, youth attend summer camp at a military base where, over the course of several days, they learn important skills such as setting goals, avoiding violent conflicts and refusing an offer of drugs from a friend. Here, in the Northern District of Texas, for the past three years, over 200 kids have attended DEFY camps held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, and at the Joint Military Reserve Training Center, Fort Worth, Texas. DEFY camps are staffed by volunteers -- adults who enjoy being with young people and who truly care about ensuring a bright future for our youth.
Phase II begins each year in the fall, coinciding with the beginning of the school year. In Phase II each child is paired with a mentor, who works with them throughout the school year to accomplish their goals. Mentors are volunteers from both active and reserve military as well as the local community. Each child and his mentor attend monthly DEFY workshops together and attend special events such as ball games or holiday celebrations.