News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2005

DEA AND THE ELKS TO INTRODUCE “TEENS IN PREVENTION” (TIP) NETWORK
Peoria to launch first Regional Chapter

PHOENIX – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Phoenix Field Division will host a community meeting to introduce a unique youth-driven, community-supported Prevention NETWORK to reducing drugs and violence. The NETWORK is a school based effort referred to as “Teens in Prevention” (TIP) that DEA is expanding throughout the country.

The DEA recognizes that the complex drug trade, where elements of both supply and demand are seamlessly interwoven, can be successfully confronted only through a combination of tough law enforcement, prevention and treatment. No simple strategy works in isolation, and no single strategy is the sole answer to the problem.

TIP involves training a cadre of youth and community leaders who are responsible for conducting prevention programs and activities in the communities they serve. Youth driven, School-Based organizations (SBOs) adopt the feeder elementary and middle schools and provide all school-aged children with a drug free message. If teens can talk teens into using drugs, logical reasoning suggests that teens can talk teens OUT of using drugs!

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #2559 has invited the DEA to host this community meeting in Sun City. Preventing drug use among youth is also one of the Elks’ priority issues. The Elks including the Partnership for a Drug-Free America are a long-time partner with the DEA’s Demand Reduction Program at both the national and local level. The meeting will conclude with a question and answer session.

Date: May 16, 2005
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Sun City Elks Lodge #2559
10760 West Union Hills Drive
Sun City, Arizona

Questions concerning the TIP Network can be directed to the Demand Reduction Coordinator, Tom Ivarie at (602) 664-5657.

Media will be able to conduct individual interviews immediately after the meeting.