[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S6920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE YOUNG MARINES

 Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I wish to state for the record my 
support for the Young Marines and their work to help reduce drug abuse 
in America. The abuse of drugs plagues our communities, disrupts our 
schools, and has a negative effect not only on the people who use 
drugs, but their communities as well. Drug abuse devastates our 
families, children and neighborhoods.
  I support programs that demonstrate effective strategies to decrease 
drug abuse. As one of the largest drug prevention programs in the 
Nation, the Red Ribbon Campaign educates our youth about the problems 
and risks associated with drug use. The Young Marines' effort to 
educate and inform community members through the Red Ribbon Campaign 
helps increase awareness about drug abuse, and in turn, helps reduce 
the demand for drugs.
  The Young Marines is a national non-profit youth education and 
service program for boys and girls, age 8 through the completion of 
high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical 
development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values 
of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline so its members can live and 
promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. This program was brought to my 
attention earlier this year by Branson Coiteux of Portland, OR who 
himself is a Young Marine and is working hard to educate his fellow 
students about the dangers of drug abuse. Each year Brandon and his 
fellow Young Marines participate in the national Red Ribbon Week and 
help educate and raise awareness about drug abuse.
  We need more groups like the Young Marines and programs to fight drug 
abuse and bring the discussion about drug abuse out in the open and 
educate our children about the dangerous effects that drug abuse can 
have on our families. I thank them for their hard work and service and 
hope that we can end the devastating effect that drugs have on our 
Nation.

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