2010 Annual Report - West Virginia Army National Guard - U.S. Army

West Virginia National Guard Annual Report 2010West Virginia National Guard CounterdrugA $3.2 million budget allowed the WestVirginia National Guard Counterdrug programto add value and contribute to quality of lifein our communities through Drug Supply andDemand Reduction Programs. For 2010, theWest Virginia National Guard Counterdrugprogram completed 172 missions. This resultedin removing millions of dollars worth of illegaldrugs from communities and educating WestVirginia’s youth on the negative effects of illegaldrugs, alcohol and tobacco.The Supply Reduction Program includesinterdiction teams, the West Virginia ArmyNational Guard Counterdrug Aviation Unit,RC-26 fixed wing aerial reconnaissance aircraft,and intelligence/case support to law enforcementagencies (LEA). Criminal analysts contributedto 175 arrests and seizures of more than $1.8million dollars in property and drugs.Aviation and ground reconnaissance teamsassisted the Drug Demand Reduction Programby providing presentations on the negativeeffects of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal druguse. At these events, anti-drug presentationsand static displays of military equipment wereoffered to capture theaudience’s attention and topromote a healthy, drug freelifestyle.Aviation logged inexcess of 1,116 hours insupport of law enforcementagencies assigned todomestic marijuanaeradication. This aggressiveprogram resulted in theseizure of over 380,000plants with a street valueof more than $960 million.Ground reconnaissancealso contributed by addingseizures totaling $4.2 millionin property and drugs. TheRC-26 program conducted120 hours of observation,reconnaissance, and trainingin support of LEA operationsduring the fiscal yearThe Drug Demand Reduction Program is amember of the Governor’s W.Va. Partnership toPromote Community Well-Being and an activepart of the Governor’s Comprehensive StrategicPlan to Address Substance Abuse in WestVirginia. DDR provided support to more than100 community-based organizations, educationalinstitutions, and coalitions throughout the state.DDR also conducted the 43rd annual YouthLeaders Camp, which promotes leadership,civic duty, and the power of positive choicesfor youth ages 15-18. DDR supported KidsKamp, held at Camp Dawson near Kingwood,W.Va., for dependents of West Virginia NationalGuard members. The purpose of this camp isto promote self-esteem, leadership and drugawareness for children ages 9-15.Utilizing the evidence-based Stay on TrackProgram, DDR taught in nine middle schoolsand reached more than 4,200 Mountain Statestudents. The program’s primary anti-drug themewas well received by students and faculty alike,resulting in its continuation in fiscal year 2011.36 37