Local Young Marines group wins award for anti-drug, healthy lifestyle efforts

The Miramar Young Marines gained the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The award recognizes the youth group’s endeavours to minimize drug use by educating the neighborhood and peer-to-peer purpose modeling.

The team was one particular of six units across the place that received the award for their “drug demand from customers reduction attempts.”

The Miramar chapter is element of the Youthful Marines, a nationwide youth leadership and company software for ages 8 by way of large school. The nonprofit fosters the psychological, ethical and actual physical development of its customers, who are normally ages 8 through 18. The application focuses on character constructing, self-self-control, management and a healthy, drug-totally free way of living.

The award is named in memory of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a DEA unique agent who was murdered in 1985 at the age of 37. Camarena had served in the Marine Corps before becoming a member of the DEA.

Younger Maritime models are judged on drug need reduction hours, curriculum, and their operate in reaching out to the local community to incorporate friends and some others.

Units can enter pictures, videos, endorsements, proclamations and other demonstrations of their drug desire reduction attempts. The ideal a few entries for each division are despatched to the DEA’s headquarters, and a winner from each division is selected.

The Miramar chapter, which is led by Younger Marines Cmdr. Bret Righthouse of Rancho Peñasquitos, logged in 650 drug demand from customers instruction several hours last calendar year, along with additional than 5,850 group provider hrs and experienced gained 324 ribbons. The chapter, which features users from North County and all over San Diego, was named Division Device of the 12 months in 2020.

The award was declared at the modern Younger Marines Yearly Adult Leaders’ Convention in St. Charles, Mo. Leigh Dick of Vista, division commander of the Younger Marines 6th Division of which the Miramar team is a section, acknowledged the award.