WASHINGTON -- The Defense Department announced today the recipients of the 22nd Annual Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Awards and the Fulcrum Shield Award for 2012. These awards are presented annually in conjunction with national Red Ribbon Week, recognizing outstanding drug abuse prevention, education and outreach efforts.
"To maintain combat readiness, it is imperative our military personnel, civilian employees and families remain drug free," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness Laura Junor. "These awards provide an opportunity to recognize the achievements of organizations who've worked tirelessly throughout the year, to positively impact not only their installations, but their families and communities as well."
The Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award is presented to military installation or programs with the best anti-drug program for that year. This year's recipients are:
• Army: Army Substance Abuse Program, Army Garrison Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
• Air Force: Drug Demand Reduction Program, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Okla.;
• Navy: Drug Education for Youth, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.;
• Marine Corps: Drug Demand Reduction Program, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma, Ariz.;
• National Guard: Counterdrug Program, Drug Demand Reduction, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City, S.D.
In 2001, the Fulcrum Shield Award was established to recognize the efforts of independent military-affiliated youth organizations that have successfully assisted in articulating the anti-drug message throughout their community. The 12th Annual Fulcrum Shield Award was presented to the National Young Marines, Drug Demand Reduction Program, Washington, DC.
Red Ribbon Week is an annual national observance that occurs from Oct. 23-31, raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to combat drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. In 1990, the DoD joined the national Red Ribbon effort by commencing its award program to encourage service members to keep communities drug-free and to recognize outstanding outreach programs.