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 46By YM/SSgt Tyson Henry East Valley (AZ) Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) is one of the primary pil- lars of the Young Marines Program. What we learn and what we know as Young Marines is that drug abuse is rampant in our country, in our communities, neigh- borhoods, schools, and sometimes in our homes (or homes of those we know and love). I am 15 years old and have been an active member of the Young Marines Program for just over three years. I love all aspects of the Young Marines Program, however I particularly appreciate the Drug Demand Reduction training we receive as Young Marines and the training that we are able to provide to others in the community and our peers, on the dangers of drugs and al- cohol abuse. I appreciate these things be- cause I know all too well what impact addiction can have on a person and their family. I have an older brother who struggles with addiction. I grew up watching my mother exhaust all possible resources, to try and help him. I have watched the pain my mother has gone through and the struggles my brother has faced in this cycle of use and recovery. I have seen and experienced its impact on him and our family. I have seen the lying and stealing, the justification that his addiction is not a problem. For a long time, I felt embarrassed by his addiction but through the Young Marines Program, I have learned that his addiction, his struggles do not define who I am. I decided a long time ago that I would not make that same choice, I would not put my family through those same struggles. Instead through the Young Marines Program, I have the opportunity to have a positive impact and to help educate youth in our community so their families are not impacted in the same way mine has been. As Red Ribbon Week is approaching, I felt it important to share with other Young Ma- rines that the problem of drugs and alcohol doesn’t just impact “other” people, it impacts those you know and love every day. You may be experiencing a situation similar to mine or you may have a Unit member who is. I ask that you remember not to judge others and to take every opportunity you have to share the DDR message with as many youth in your communities as you can. You never know when your message will prevent a family from having to live through the pain of addiction. Young Marines: My Anti-Drug, and Sharing the Message By YM/PFC Kate Houston General Raymond G. Davis Metro Atlanta (GA) Abusing drugs does terrible things to the human body. It can also make you do things that could put you in jail for the rest of your life. As an Explorer for the Forsyth County Georgia Sheriff’s Office, I have the privilege of getting to do ride-alongs with the local depu- ties. Normally on these ride-alongs, I see car accidents, traffic stops or sometimes even theft, but there was one incident that I experi- enced that showed me the harsh realities of drug abuse. In a recent ride-along, we responded to a domestic dispute call (meaning a disturbance at a residence). When we received this call, the Sheriff’s deputy I was riding with told me they had previous problems with the woman at this residence. She was a known drug user, specifically using methamphetamine. Once we arrived, it appeared to me that she was on meth because of the way she was acting and because of her face, which was scarred with acne, and her teeth were in horrible shape. I recognized these signs from having seen them in my Young Marines Drug Demand Reduction instruction. When her 7 year old daughter was interviewed, the daughter told us that whenever she goes to her mom’s house she only gets one meal a day, one that she has to make it herself. Can you imagine making your own meals at 7 years of age? She also told us that her parents slept all day, leaving her alone all day. This was another dose of reality for me be- cause when you see this portrayed in the mov- ies or television shows, you never think about it happening close to your world... but it does. It is so sad to know that in the real world, children go through these kinds of things simply because their parents are addicted to drugs. This is why I believe the Young Marines is a good program. It helps kids realize how terrible their life can get if they use and abuse drugs. Drugs lead people to a life of hard times and they affect more than just the person abusing drugs.This is why every Young Marine needs to persevere and work on getting all of their peers to become drug free, and encourage them to stay drug free. A Young Marine Witnesses Some of the Dangers of Drugs Drugs lead people to a life of hard times and they affect more than just the person abusing drugs Take every opportunity you have to share the DDR message with as many youth in your communities as you can YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 11