For more than 10 years, the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission’s (CJC) Weed and Seed program has been sponsoring a countywide summer camp, Drug Education for Youth (DEFY).
This year’s week-long camp for children ages 9 to 12 was held in August at the Club Managers Association of America Therapeutic Recreation Complex in Lake Worth.
The program included a parental involvement session facilitated by Planned Parenthood of Palm Beach County that offered parents key ways to stay involved in their children’s lives.
Weed and Seed staff coordinated camp activities that were held in Delray Beach, Belle Glade, West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and Gramercy Park. Delray Beach Police Department Weed and Seed Coordinator Cerina Anderson and CJC Program Development Specialist Rosalind Murray served as co-directors of the camp. It culminated in a graduation ceremony on Aug. 13 recognizing 65 graduates from throughout the county.
DEFY began in 1993 as a youth outreach program developed by the U.S. Department of Navy’s Drug Demand Reduction Task Force. Staff serves as military role models in promoting positive life choices to reduce the demand for illegal drugs.
The program begins with a five-day summer camp, followed by 10 months of mentoring that includes taking the children to special events. Teaching the importance of education, health, physical fitness and citizenship combats the temptations and peer pressure associated with drugs and gangs.
Instead of dealing with these problems after they have ruined lives, DEFY employs less costly, preventive measures to instill a strong anti-drug foundation in young participants. Law enforcement officers from Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach teach the classes and serve as mentors.
The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office partner to make the DEFY program a reality. Local partners include the CJC and Weed and Seed, Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, the Palm Beach County Police Athletic League, and the Delray Beach, Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach police departments.
Due to funding cuts, this will be the last year for DEFY. The Criminal Justice Commission and its 33-member board support prevention and intervention as part of their primary mission. For more information about criminal justice programs, call 355-4943.