Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 5410 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE The Young Marines garnered its eighth Fulcrum Shield award from the United States Department of Defense. Specifically recognized this year were the East Valley Young Marines of Mesa, AZ. The award was presented on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at a special ceremony in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. The award is given annually by the Department of De- fense and recognizes military-affiliated youth organiza- tions around the world that have made intensive efforts at spreading anti-drug messages in local communities. In 2014,the Young Marines unveiled its“Closing the Gate on Drugs” initiative on a national scale. It consists of les- sons that help young people learn and practice new skills and strategies for resisting the gateway drugs. These “gateway drugs” include tobacco, alcohol, inhalant abuse, marijuana and over the counter/prescription medication. “Last year the Young Marines as a national organization won the Fulcrum Shield for our innovative ‘Closing the Gate on Drugs’ program,” said Bill Davis, Young Marines National Executive Director “This year a local unit won the award for their efforts on the ground which has had an impact on thousands of young people in Arizona.” The East Valley unit partnered with the Mesa Police department for training. Unit members also developed a partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs from Apache Junction, Gilbert, Mesa,Tempe, and Scottsdale, scheduling monthly meetings to present more than 50 Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) classes throughout the year. The East Valley Young Marines DDR outreach included more than 43,500 children, teens and adults with face to face contact through presentations and campaigns; and approximately 330,000 indirect contacts. “We are extremely proud of East Valley Young Marines for their passionate efforts in educating the local com- munity on the hazards of gateway drugs through ‘Closing the Gate on Drugs’,” said Davis. “Their message reached thousands of adults and youth, making a real impact that extends beyond just our members.” “In a 22-year career in law enforcement, I never arrest- ed anyone for methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine or any other perceived ‘more dangerous’ drugs that didn’t start abusing one of the gateway drugs first,” said Joe Lusignan, the Young Marines’ Drug Demand Reduction Resource Of- ficer. “We focus on the gateway drugs because these are the drugs our school age children are more likely to be exposed to and tempted by.” “This group of Young Marines has worked long and hard, teaching and becoming leaders in the fight against drugs,” said Joseph M.Arpaio,Sheriff,Maricopa County.“They have been present in our schools in Mesa,Tempe,Chandler,Gil- bert,Fountain Hills and Queen Creek,teaching their peers and setting a high example for other youth to follow.” East Valley YMs: Our Eighth Fulcrum Shield Award from DoD Bill Davis (left), National Executive Director and CEO of the Young Marines; with Joe Lusignan (right), Drug Demand Reduction Re- source Officer for the Young Marines; with a group of youth members of the Young Marines holding the Fulcrum Shield award in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon on Thursday, October 13, 2016.