WASHINGTON –
Members of the District of Columbia National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force, specifically the Drug Demand Reduction Outreach (DDRO) team, attended the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 21st Prevention Day, February 3, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md. The event brought together over 4,000 prevention practitioners, advocates, scientists, leaders, and consumers from across the nation for a pivotal day focused on advancing substance use prevention.
This year’s theme, "Telling the Prevention Story," highlighted the vital importance of empowering youth voices in the conversation around substance use prevention. The event highlighted how engaging youth in policy discussions and initiatives can strengthen prevention efforts. Notably, it underscored the barriers youth may face, such as transportation costs, lack of access to resources, and financial hardships—factors that can increase their vulnerability to drug misuse in vulnerable communities.
One of the standout attendees from the DDRO team was U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Washington, a DDRO functional area manager (FAM) officer in charge (OIC) at the National Guard Bureau. Reflecting on his experience, Washington shared that attending SAMHSA’s Prevention Day helped broaden his understanding of the latest prevention tools, data trends, and resources available across the country. "From my time as a young DDRO civil operator to now working as the DDRO FAM, SAMHSA Prevention Day has such a vast amount of information," Washington said. "This event covers the current operations and data trends that our nation’s preventionists are involved in."
One of the most engaging components of the event was the interactive breakout sessions. These sessions offered a creative space to explore the latest trends in substance use prevention. Participants had the opportunity to discuss innovative models, such as the youth-led adult writing model, in which youth take the lead in designing and implementing prevention initiatives. In contrast, adults assist behind the scenes with logistics and mentorship. This model emphasizes the importance of youth-driven solutions while recognizing adults' supportive role in fostering these initiatives.
The youth-led approach aligns with SAMHSA’s goal of focusing on prevention earlier in life. As Washington emphasized, "I would highly recommend any program with the capacity to participate in these trainings to do so. This event can strongly improve the readiness and operation of their DDRO Program and their state’s prevention efforts."
Another key highlight of the day was the focus on practical training for community prevention workforces. Attendees discussed upstream prevention strategies, including addressing risk factors beyond substance use itself. A core message of the training was the importance of targeting prevention efforts at an earlier age, particularly during adolescence, when brain development plays a crucial role in shaping long-term behaviors.
While attending the conference, members from the National Guard DDRO eastern region teams, such as North Carolina, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, met with each other and networked on the resources their team uses to enhance their prevention team’s efforts.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Simone Sampson, a civil operator with the DDRO team, emphasized how the conference enriched her understanding of prevention tactics: "I walked away with knowledge about implementing presentations for the youth," she said. "Not only did the conference equip me with the tools needed for success in the community, but I was also able to learn about other state’s procedures to build my understanding of prevention."
The DDRO team’s participation in these sessions exemplifies their commitment to staying ahead of trends and continuously enhancing their community outreach efforts. By fostering resilience, building awareness, and creating opportunities for healthy choices, DDRO’s efforts extend far beyond simply addressing substance use—they are working to eliminate the root causes that lead to misuse in the first place.
"Our team is working to change the narrative of prevention in our community. We believe that targeting youth through education and knowledge is key to preventing drug use in the future, and we hope to continue this work for years to come,” said Sampson. By directly engaging with the community, DDRO is helping to foster awareness, share valuable resources, and reduce drug demand before it takes root.
Through their ongoing efforts, the DDRO team is pivotal in shaping a healthier, more informed future for the District of Columbia. Their participation in SAMHSA’s Prevention Day strengthens their outreach initiatives and enhances their ability to make a tangible impact on substance use prevention in the region.
Sampson also praised the opportunity to learn from both seasoned experts and youth leaders. "It gave me a deeper insight into the collaborative leadership model—one where youth lead initiatives with adults providing the necessary logistical support. It’s clear that when youth have a strong voice, the prevention efforts resonate more effectively in the community," she noted.
SAMHSA’s vision for a future where individuals affected by or at risk for mental health and substance use disorders receive the care they need to thrive aligns perfectly with the DDRO’s mission. By leveraging its unique military capabilities, the DDRO team continues strengthening the collaborative network between the Department of Defense and federal, state, and local agencies in the fight against drug prevention and misuse.
Through these ongoing efforts, DDRO plays a pivotal role in shaping a healthier, more informed future for the District of Columbia, and their participation in SAMHSA’s Prevention Day will help further strengthen their outreach initiatives.