A Significant Milestone│Cal Guard's civil operations team partners with The Journey School in a multiagency D.A.R.E graduation ceremony

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Stefany Leyva | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Fernando Lopez, Los Angeles Drug Demand Reduction Outreach civil operator, California National Guard, leads students through the different activities with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office as part of a graduation ceremony on Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) held for over 500 students at The Journey School in Moreno Valley, California on May 11, 2023. Local law enforcement, CAL FIRE, and other community-based organizations attended to celebrate that D.A.R.E. certification, which comprised of the entire student body -- a distinct achievement, according to the Los Angeles-based team that conducted the training. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Stefany M. Leyva)  

SACRAMENTO, CA, UNITED STATES

06.02.2023

Story by Tech. Sgt. Stefany Leyva 

California National Guard Primary   

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – Yelps of glee rang through the hallways from over 500 bright-faced students at The Journey School, a public charter in Moreno Valley, as men and women in uniforms of every kind and color set up activity booths to celebrate a milestone achievement.

For the first time in the Los Angeles district, the Cal Guard Drug Demand Reduction Outreach (DDRO) team certified an entire school in Drug Abuse Resistance Education and held a multi-agency educational fair day on May 11, 2023.

"The DDRO team, also referred to as civil operators, worked tirelessly to ensure every student received training in a multi-lesson program that teaches strategies in drug resistance," said U.S. Army Sgt. Marisol Toro, Los Angeles DDRO team lead. "This effort took an entire school year to accomplish and is something we have never achieved before."

The D.A.R.E. program is a law enforcement-led substance abuse prevention education program founded in 1983. It recently released its new 'Keepin' It Real' series to educate students on making safe and healthy choices, leading to a drug-free life.

This event was coordinated by U.S. Army Spc. Jaalah Love, Los Angeles DDRO team member, who arranged for organizations within the community to bring in role models for the students.

"We have many law enforcement agencies and community organizations here with us," said Love. "A few of those organizations are Riverside Sheriff's Department, CAL FIRE Moreno Valley, Cal Guard's 140th Chemical Company, Too Rise Up community-based organization, Federal Reserves Police Department, and the DEA Los Angeles Field Division."

The event's successful turnout was a testament to months of dedicated preparation, Love said.

This celebration was the first of its kind and has inspired the DDRO team to continue to set the bar high and model selfless service.

Having lost friends to drugs, Love said, "Everything inspires me about this job... for me to be here with the students to share my personal experiences and remind them not to lose hope is really inspirational."

• Date Taken: 06.02.2023
• Date Posted: 06.02.2023 17:00
• Story ID: 446114
• Location: SACRAMENTO, CA, US