South Dakota National Guard's (SDNG) Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) program received national recognition Feb. 12 at the Community Alcohol and Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA) 19th Annual National Leadership Forum Award luncheon.

This national award is given annually to the DDR program that is nominated by a community-based organization involved with CADCA.

Pam Teaney Thomas from the Rapid City Schools Adolescent Substance Abuse Coalition, nominated the SDNG's DDR program for their support to numerous area schools and community activities.

The supported activities include: the Red Ribbon Campaign, Safe and Drug Free Schools Campaign, Parents Matter Campaign, Stay on Track, Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Prevention Training, and the Youth to Youth Conference held at Camp Rapid every year.

Teaney Thomas said there are over 5,000 coalition members across the country, including parents, media and social services.

The goal of these programs is "to create safe, healthy and drug-free communities," said Teaney Thomas. "It is amazing to gather 500 kids from North Middle School in Rapid City, to spell out the words "Stay on Track," and have a SDNG helicopter fly over to capture the moment."

The DDR program in S.D. shows the local communities that this state is committed to excellence, and play a key role in the fight against drugs.

"I am very proud of the hard work every member of my team has put into the DDR program," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Klosterman, the counter drug coordinator for the SDNG. "We help facilitate youth involvement and it all comes down to the passionate and dedicated people in this program."

The Institute for Educational Leadership & Evaluation, a project of the Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, Inc. conducts annual surveys within the Rapid City area schools and the results are tabulated and reported to the district and community annually. Here are some of those statistics on the fight against drugs (2001-2007):

Tobacco use

53% decline for 7th graders

From 14% in 2001 to 6.6% in 2007

18% decline for high school students

From 36.7% in 2001 to 30.2% in 2007

Alcohol use

58% decline for 7th graders

From 18.2% in 2001 to 7.6% in 2007

18% decline for high school students

From 47% in 2001 to 33.6% in 2007

Marijuana use

26% decline for 7th graders

From 6.2% in 2001 to 4.6% in 2007

28% decline for high school students

From 27.7% in 2001 to 19.9% in 2007

Huffing

29% decline for 11th graders

From 6.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2007

The fight against drugs is alive and well, and the SDNG DDR program is taking the necessary steps to partner with various organizations to provide a safe and drug-free environment throughout the state.

"The DDR program is an opportunity to provide education to kids in a fun way," said Kristi Palmer, the DDR Non-commissioned officer in charge. "It is a way to reach many youth and hope they make the right choices throughout the rest of their lives."For more information about US Fed News contract awards please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News, Email:- [email protected]