Drug Education for Youth (DEFY), developed by the Depar

Navy’s Drug Demand Reduction Task Force staff, is a comp

multiphased prevention program for kids ages 9 to 12. DEF

behaviors by giving kids the tools they need to resist drugs

alcohol and includes skill-based activities that help youth 

their future. The leadership and life skills provided by DEF

setting, team building, conflict resolution, and decisionmak

stated, DEFY has three goals: 

� To develop relationships between youth and positive ad

� To deliver life-skills training. 

� To deter drug use and gang involvement. 

Each summer, DEFY sponsors a summer training camp pro

Phase I—that lasts for 5 to 8 days. DEFY Phase II is a scho

ing program that reinforces the training and education rece

Why does DEFY target youth ages 9 to 12? 

DEFY is a unique, comprehensive prevention program that 

protective factors and reduces risk factors that scientific re

directly linked to adolescent alcohol and drug abuse, schoo

quency, and violence. The DEFY curriculum is tightly focus

year-old youth because the primary exposure to high-risk 

occurs during the middle school years (grades 7 to 9 and a

Logically, if we want to prevent high-risk behavior in the 1

bracket, we must first educate the 9- to 12-year-old youth

Research has shown that prevention measures that instill s

teach conflict resolution techniques and skills, and empha

tance of education are very successful at thwarting drug u

affiliation. Additionally, the costs associated with preventiv

far lower than those associated with remediation. 

DEFY combats the temptations and peer pressure associat

and gangs by teaching the importance of education, health

ness, and citizenship to youth ages 9 to 12. 

What are the phases of DEFY? 

DEFY consists of four integrated components that together 

structured yearlong experience for 9- to 12-year-old youth
confidence. Although classroom education is key to the 

DEFY camp also provides physical fitness and other ou

that reinforce fundamental principles taught in the clas

�	 Mentoring—Phase II: A 10-month mentoring program, 

school year, in which DEFY youth are paired with adult 

Mentoring events are built around a curriculum module 

skills, techniques, and procedures taught in the Phase I 

Phase II mentoring program derives directly from Phase 

�	 Parent and Guardian Engagement: The DEFY program 

its staff or Phase II mentors to be substitutes for parent

It is therefore crucial that parents and guardians be full

their role in their child’s success in the DEFY program, 

responsibility as role models in the use of alcohol and t

other deleterious behaviors. 

�	 Outplacement: All DEFY graduates receive the support 

ment necessary to actively participate in appropriate fo

grams in their schools and communities. 

What is the difference between a residential an

nonresidential summer training camp program

The Phase I summer camp can be either residential, mean

children remain at the site for the entire 5-day period, or n

meaning that the children go home every night. The length 

dential camp may be up to 8 days. Both residential and no

camps follow the DEFY Phase I curriculum, which includes 

instruction, physical fitness activities, and educational trip

which type of camp to host depends on the number of cam

staff, facilities, and funding available. 

How does DEFY differ from other prevention p

� 

� 

� 

� 

In addition to providing extensive education about drug us

DEFY offers 

Conflict resolution skills training, self-esteem building, 

ness training. 

Military role models who promote positive life choices. 

Activities that DEFY youth might not experience otherw

chute drops. 

Prosecutors, police officers, and other adult mentors to yo

2 
How long has Weed and Seed been involved in 

Weed and Seed DEFY began in 1996 under a memorandum 

ing (MOU) between the Department of the Navy and the U

of Justice (DOJ). Under the MOU, DEFY is offered to spons

Attorneys who operate Weed and Seed programs within th

The Executive Office for Weed and Seed (EOWS) administe

and Seed DEFY program. 

In 1996, Weed and Seed DEFY began with three pilot sites 

Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and San Antonio, Texas)

expanded to 90 sites, coordinating 53 camps in summer 20

ing mentoring and outreach to more than 2,600 kids natio

How is DEFY funded? 

Weed and Seed DEFY is funded by EOWS through the Exec

U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA), which distributes funds to local U

Offices (the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where the buck stops, p

DEFY is implemented in Weed and Seed sites at the discre

U.S. Attorney. EOWS has estimated that the program costs 

$10,000 per 40 children, per site. EOWS funds up to 2,600 

on a first-come, first-served basis. EOWS has set a $250-p

which is necessary to maintain the current growth based o

cation. The limit includes all preapproved expenses associ

implementation of a DEFY program (e.g., staff and mentor 

What are the roles and responsibilities of the s

U.S. Attorney’s Office and the military partner? 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has primary responsibility for im

DEFY program. This includes drafting and executing a mem

understanding (MOU) with the prospective military partne

staff, arranging to use facilities, obtaining community reso

mentors, and adapting the program based on the local faci

Although these tasks may be delegated, the overall manag

sight of DEFY remains with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The 

command is responsible for providing the space necessary 

gram implementation and a safe, secure facility for the chi

cant amount of time is required to plan and implement DE

firm commitment and active support from the local sponso

are required to ensure the success of the DEFY program. 
Offices. Because DEFY is implemented at the discretion of 

Attorney’s Office, sites should contact their local U.S. Attor

express their interest in the program. If interested, the U.S

Office will designate a DEFY Program Coordinator, identify 

ner, and register these individuals for the workshop. All ne

must send representatives to the workshop, which teaches 

about the DEFY curriculum, budgeting for the program, an

to Phase I and Phase II. It also gives them an opportunity t

experienced DEFY site representatives. A memorandum of 

between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the military partner 

for EOWS to approve funding. 

What are the requirements to become a DEFY 

Any Officially Recognized Weed and Seed site may apply t

local U.S. Attorney’s Office to become a DEFY site. The req

as follows: 


� Obtain a commitment from a military partner.


� Coordinate a memorandum of understanding between t

Attorney’s Office and the military partner. 

� Attend a spring DEFY workshop. 

� Secure a camp facility. 

� Create a budget proposal. 

EOWS considers only 

� Applications from Officially Recognized sites applying f

DEFY program. 

� Applications from sites that have submitted their previo

Phase I Final Report and Phase II Quarterly Reports. 

� Applications submitted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Is it mandatory that the U.S.Attorney’s DEFY C

be present for the duration of the Phase I camp

The U.S. Attorney’s Office must have representation on-sit

camp program. It is not necessary that the person be emp

U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office may deleg

responsibility to the Assistant DEFY Coordinator or to a law 

representative. 

4 
otherwise prohibited. 

Is it mandatory that DEFY have law enforceme

participation? 

DEFY is a community program. Usually, volunteer military 

enforcement personnel present the DEFY curriculum. Past 

shown that local law enforcement agencies are anxious to 

because this reinforces their community policing initiatives

tion is essential to implement the program successfully. Al

mandatory, the involvement of law enforcement has numer

no background checks are required for staff, police and co

dents get to know each other, and youth learn to see polic

more positive role. In addition, police are accustomed to de

ple. They also have specialized training relating to security 

generally there will be no expense for security personnel if 

are on-site to ensure program participant safety). 

Is there an established child-to-mentor ratio fo

The ideal ratio of mentors to youth is one to one. The avai

fied mentors determines the final ratio. Mentors are assign

clusters and subsequently paired with DEFY youth for a 10

following the conclusion of Phase I. Mentor clusters are gr

two mentors and two to five youth. Sites are responsible fo

and safety of the youth and must use good judgment in de

whether a sufficient number of mentors is present. 

DEFY is a Navy program.What if a site is inter

implementing DEFY but has no Navy base near

Access to a Navy or Marine Corps facility is not mandatory 

DEFY program. Other military partners, such as the Army, 

Air Force, or a reserve center, may provide the military fac

setting). 

summer leadership training camp. In addition, the sponsor

ner may make facilities available through a community-mi

partnership, meaning an agreement among the U.S. Attorn

military partner, and a community facility that is conduciv

and safe experience (e.g., a community center, university, 
to maintain the military integrity of the program as well as 

sistency. Approval by EOWS may be granted, based on the 

cation provided, on a case-by-case basis. It is the respons

U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure that the proposed nonmilit

duly covered for any possible torts that may be brought ag

agency and that the proposed nonmilitary facility is adequ

the needs of the DEFY children. Note: Additional costs ass

nonmilitary facility may be at the expense of the site. 

What latitude do Weed and Seed sites have to 

other than military (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs, re

centers) in conducting DEFY camps? 

Sponsors who certify that no military installation is nearby 

that the military partner’s facility is unavailable may subm

EOWS to use a nonmilitary facility. However, DEFY is uniq

uses military role models in its prevention program; militar

is mandatory to maintain the integrity of the program. 

Are all participating staff and mentors required 

CPR training? 

No. At least two people certified in CPR must be on staff a

times during the summer camp program. Past experiences 

strated that many organizations that employ registered nu

willing to help DEFY sites find volunteer nurses for the cam

most nurses plan vacations well in advance, so it is essent

planning include early recruitment of nurses. 

What does the military partner bring to the ta

implementation of Weed and Seed DEFY? 

The DEFY curriculum is presented in two phases by volun

from the military and law enforcement. Drawing on the mil

tional skills, ethnic diversity, and drug-free image, the prog

a large pool of positive role models for its participants. In a

Department of the Navy’s Drug Demand Reduction Task Fo

has helped transfer national coordination of this program t

Department of Justice. However, DDRTF will continue to ru

for U.S. Navy dependents. Because of continuing military c

the program, Weed and Seed sites can tap into military pro

activities, and experience. Each participating U.S. Attorney

6 
What can DEFY funds be used for? 

Funds provided by EOWS for a local DEFY program are ge

funds. Allowable expenditures include (but are not limited 

summer camp; required T-shirts, hats, and backpacks; req

equipment (e.g., soccer balls); lodging expenses at a milita

residential camps; transportation; ticketed admission; cellu

two-way radios; mileage; staff training expenses (e.g., con

peer mediation, conflict resolution staff development); and 

(books, paper, pens, folders, graduation certificates, etc.). N

expenditures include (but are not limited to) salary and ov

staff, law enforcement equipment, equipment for program 

computers, and activities and events that are inappropriate 

sonable costs. 

What is the procedure for accepting funds from 

Federal agency and/or private entity wanting to 

Weed and Seed DEFY? 

Other Federal agencies may support DEFY by transferring 

Federal agency to another) to the U.S. Attorney’s Office or 

grant to the Weed and Seed grantee agency. Weed and See

accept donations directly from private entities. 

Can sites advertise companies that make donat

support DEFY on the back of DEFY T-shirts? 

Yes, at the discretion of the sponsoring U.S. Attorney’s Off

donations, sites are expected to use good judgment. For ex

shirts cannot advertise companies and/or organizations as

drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. 

Are children who graduated from a previous D

allowed to attend a later Phase I camp program

The intent of the DEFY program is to give the camp experi

ous children from Weed and Seed sites—thereby encourag

attendance at the Phase I camp. Sites are limited to 40 chi

which limits additional youth participation. The final decisi

remains with the sponsoring U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Should sites have insurance to cover DEFY acti

Each DEFY Weed and Seed site/grantee should have comp

eral liability insurance and collision/auto insurance (if driv
partment of Justice, its agents, etc.; the U.S. Department of 

the Department of the Navy), its agents, etc.; and the U.S. 

agents, etc. DEFY funds may be used to purchase liability 

A group of DEFY children who have completed 

program would like to establish a DEFY Club. T

would include youth from the community who 

attended a DEFY program and, in some cases, a

older (e.g., age 16). Can this club use “DEFY” in 

name? 

If the youth in the community want to use DEFY as their c

cannot be prohibited and should not be the responsibility 

Attorney’s Office. 

What are the reporting requirements for DEFY

Each site is required to submit a Phase I Final Report to EO

days of completion of Phase I. The final report must summ

plishments in Phase I planning, staff training, and operatio

program successes and observed weaknesses. The report s

stand-alone document that provides an accurate descriptio

of Phase I. During Phase II, sites are required to submit qu

on monthly mentoring activities within 15 days of the end 

How will the reports be used? 

The reports will be used to chart the successes and challen

menting a DEFY program. In addition, EOWS may use the 

develop a “lessons learned” fact sheet and/or “best practic

to distribute with DEFY materials. This information would 

DEFY programs from having to reinvent the wheel and hel

clear of potential pitfalls. 

Whom should a site contact for additional info

Interested Weed and Seed sites may contact their local U.S

Office, call the EOWS DEFY Program Manager at 202–616–

the EOWS Web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/eows/ for more 

8