By YM/LCpl Hunter A. Gomez Quartz Hill (CA) Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) is very important to all Young Marines units. Not only is it important, but it is a requirement as a Young Marine to complete four presentations. My DDR is specifically about gateway drugs. (Marijuana, Tobacco and Al- cohol) I’m also working on another DDR presentation covering the dan- gers of Inhalants (abusing them is referred to as Huffing). I am writing this article for a number of reasons. First, my Unit Commander, Chris Chinchilla, along with my parents, encouraged me to write and sec- ondly, I wanted to give other Young Marines encouragement. I want you to know this is a very important and positive thing we are doing and we need to spread the word about “doing the right thing”. My gateway drug presentation took place at my school, with 27 of my peers. I was confident because I was before a small group of people I was familiar with. Before the presentation I was still very nervous and kept thinking about things like not being able to answer their ques- tions or being made fun of. Well, none of that happened! So, at my second presentation, I ar- ranged to speak about DDR to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Mis- sion Division Cadets. Their ages ranged from 14-18 years old and 67 were present. I was really nervous, all over again. My thoughts were,“I’m only 9 years old and all these big kids, who are police cadets, are probably wonder- ing – “what can I teach them?” But I knew there was no backing out and I had a mission to accomplish. I just went on with what I knew and it actually became really easy after the first two minutes. When the time came to take questions, I was able to answer the one question someone asked. I felt very proud after that. Everyone was so nice and they thanked me for bringing the educational awareness to them. A little about my- self: I’m in the fourth grade and I have two more presentations scheduled, that will be completed before my 10th birth- day on March 27th, 2018. I’m Autistic and have ADHD. I know this diagnosis is a part of who I am, and can complicate the way I do things but I do them to the best of my ability and that’s all that someone can ask of you. I follow the Young Marine Obligation and Creed to its fullest and work to set the example for others to follow. I hope that my presentations will keep kids from using drugs, alcohol or tobacco and in turn inspire them to do their best. “Thank-you” to my fellow Quartz Hill Young Marines for making a difference in our communities. Semper Fidelis! A Quartz Hill Young Marine is Motivated by Our DDR Mission Preparing for my presentation. Taking time to answer questions after my presentation. YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT 7