DEFY program gives children what they need to say ‘no’

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt staff writer
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE. Fla. --  It's a dangerous world, but it's easy to forget that the most defenseless among us face one of the greatest dangers every day simply by going to school, to the local mall or the beach. As anywhere young people gather, drugs may be there, too. 

As in any good defense strategy, it is important to know the enemy, which is an important part of the annual Drug Education for Youth program held last week at MacDill. Enrolled in the program were 14 children ranging in age from nine to 12 years old. They attended educational and informative sessions and participated in other activities designed to help them avoid the dangers of drugs and to deal effectively with the pressures and challenges of those who would introduce them to illegal substances. 

"We educate kids on drugs and alcohol and give them the knowledge to say 'no,' " said Tech. Sgt. Cynthia Crouse, 6th Air Mobility Wing Military Equal Opportunity Office, who was a volunteer working with the children throughout the week. 

The aim of the program, held each summer at MacDill and open to children of military members and Department of Defense employees, is to educate, but also entertain. After all, it is a summer program. 

"It's been wonderful," said Sergeant Crouse. "The kids have been learning a lot and having fun." 

Sergeant Crouse credited members of the 6th Security Forces Squadron and agents with the Office of Special Investigations for hosting sessions to familiarize the children with the various drugs in circulation, their dangers and how to avoid them. 

It was a week she could have been hanging out with friends, but Erin Creighton, 13, said DEFY was a blast and educational. 

"It was well worth it for the experience for me," she said. "My older (siblings) have done it and we all learned a lot of interesting things." 

Mathew Ryan, 11, concurred. He was impressed by the detail and depth of knowledge presented in the classroom sessions, particularly when compared to what he has learned about drugs in school. 

"They really get into it in a way that you get all the answers," he said.
Both students said the opportunity to do drugs is a reality for kids their age, particularly for Erin. 

"There are a lot of people at school who do it," she said. "You just try to make friends who are not into that stuff and keep your distance." 

With the knowledge gained about the hazards associated with illegal drugs and their new social skills, both agreed they are better equipped to deal with the problem. 

"We know a lot more than we did when we started," said Mathew.