There are many opportunities for teens to participate in drug prevention and law enforcement-related activities, and DEA is affiliated with a number of outstanding teen programs. Teens who are interested in reducing drug use in their communities can participate in numerous national and local programs. If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, several organizations provide teens with action-oriented activities.

The Law Enforcement Explorers program and DEA have a long relationship. DEA sponsors some Law Enforcement Explorers posts and Special Agents and other DEA employees participate in the bi-annual national conference. Law Enforcement Exploring is designed for young men and women who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age, or are 15 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday.

Law Enforcement Explorer posts help young people gain insight into a variety of programs that offer hands-on career activities. Emphasis is placed on career development, leadership and life skills, citizenship and character development. Find out more about the Explorer program

Deputy DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart briefs Law Enforcement Explorers on their next scenario during the 2004 annual conference in Atlanta.  

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.