Teens in Prevention
Ground-Breaking DEA El Paso Program
Helps Kids Help Each Other

"Teens in Prevention" (TiP) is a Youth Driven, Community Supported Network of School-Based Organizations (SBOs) that focuses on individual responsibility, positive peer pressure, and community mobilization in hopes of reducing substance abuse and violence. Multiple SBOs form a Regional Chapter and each Regional Chapter becomes part of the greater Network.

DEA El Paso is responsible for managing and operating the Network. DEA Special Agents and support staff - with the experience, commitment, and credibility to promote drug prevention and education within the community - distinguish the TiP Network.

TiP involves training a cadre of youth and community leaders that are responsible for conducting prevention programs and activities. Youth Driven SBOs adopt their feeder elementary and middle schools and provide all school-aged children with a drug-free message.

TiP works on the guiding principle that people will support what they help create, and that no one system, agency, or organization can prevent drug use and violence in isolation. Because TiP facilitates teamwork, cooperation, and problem solving, it will compliment and support existing programs and enhance DEA's National prevention efforts.

DEA El Paso has numerous Regional Chapters consisting of 70 youth-driven, community-supported coalitions, and approximately 5,000 participants. Current Chapters are in Texas, New Mexico, and Illinois, while future Chapters will be piloted in Florida, Minnesota, and Nevada. At our current growth rate, we anticipate 7,500 - 10,000 youth and community participants sharing assets, resources, and information by the end of 2002.

The El Paso Division has numerous trainers who can assist other domestic offices in creating a Regional Chapter in their area of responsibility. Creating a Regional Chapter is a two-phase process, normally requires six-months, and will be funded by Headquarters Demand Reduction section. Please contact the TiP Network Coordinator, DRC David Monnette at 915.204.2265 for additional information or view the TiP web site at www.deatip.net and register your email for electronic updates.

To learn more about this Network and become part of the solution to America's drug problem, please contact us at www.deatip.net.