WASHINGTON – Members of the District of Columbia National Guard’s Counterdrug Drug Demand Reduction Outreach (DDRO) team delivered a interactive drug prevention presentation to the Young Marines at the D.C. Armory, May 15, 2025, highlighting the critical role youth engagement plays in the fight against substance misuse and empowering the next generation with the tools to make confident, healthy decisions.
The Young Marines, a national youth education and service program sponsored by the Marine Corps League, serves boys and girls ages eight through high school graduation. Grounded in values of leadership, teamwork, and discipline, the program is dedicated to building character, promoting academic achievement, and encouraging a drug-free lifestyle.
“The Young Marines were the perfect audience for this training,” said Staff Sgt. Belita Lynum, a civil operator with the DDRO team. “The students came eager to engage and learn. It was truly refreshing to see such enthusiasm and openness to growth.”
The DDRO’s mission is to prevent drug misuse by reaching youth during early adolescence, aiming to break the cycle of experimentation and build informed, resilient decision-making. Following the presentation, the percentage of Young Marines scoring rose from 40% to 82%. The presentation was effective in enhancing the Young Marines' understanding of the dangers of drugs.
“The training was outstanding,” said Arlyn Evangelista Penaranda, secretary of the Young Marines program, “It was interactive, collaborative, and delivered at a level the students could really relate to.”
Penaranda, whose son and daughter are both first-year privates in the program, emphasized the personal impact of the session. “They’re not just learning about drug prevention—they’re building the confidence to say no and developing communication skills that will serve them for life.”
Through sessions like these, DDRO is bridging the gap between awareness and action, arming the youth with the knowledge, confidence, and leadership to choose a healthy path forward.