The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Young Marines, a national youth organization, has announced the recipients of the 2026 Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award. The award recognizes outstanding Young Marine units for their drug prevention and resistance efforts through community education and peer-to-peer role modeling. The Southland Young Marines of Azuza, California received this national honor for Division 6.
The winners will be recognized at the Young Marines 2026 Awards Banquet on March 13, 2026, at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport—Herndon.
The 2026 award winners are:
Division 1: Manassas Young Marines, Manassas, Virginia
Division 2: Black Creek Young Marines, Orange Park, Florida
Division 3: Greater Cleveland Young Marines, Fairview Park, Ohio
Division 4: Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Young Marines, Harvey Louisiana
Division 5: Foothills Young Marines, Thornton, Colorado
Division 6: Southland Young Marines, Azusa, California
The award is named in memory of DEA Special Agent and U.S. Marine Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who dedicated his career to defeating the drug invasion in the U.S. In 1974, he became a special agent with DEA. In 1985 he was working in Mexico and had come dangerously close to exposing the top leaders of a multi-billion-dollar drug pipeline when he was abducted and brutally murdered at the age of 37.
“The Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena Award recognizes young people who are stepping up when it matters most,” said DEA Administrator Terrence Cole. “These Young Marines are proving that prevention works when led by example. Their dedication to education, service, and peer leadership is making a real difference in protecting their communities across the US from the dangers of drugs.”
Young Marine units are evaluated on a range of criteria, including the number of Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) hours completed, curriculum delivery, and outreach efforts involving peers and community organizations. Units may submit photos, endorsements, proclamations, videos, and other materials that demonstrate their work. The top three submissions from each division are forwarded to DEA headquarters, where one division winner was selected.
“This award highlights the heart of the Young Marines program, and it is our honor to recognize the Southland Young Marines for their work and dedication to mission,” said Col. William P. Davis, USMC (Ret.), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Our Young Marines are not only committed to living drug-free lives themselves, but they’re also actively engaging others to do the same. Their leadership, discipline, and service honor the legacy of Kiki Camarena and strengthen the communities they serve.”
Promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle is a core pillar of the Young Marines program. All units are required to teach the Project Alert curriculum, which addresses gateway drugs while remaining current on harmful substances affecting today’s youth. The program also provides senior Young Marines with the opportunity to become certified instructors, helping them to educate younger members and their peers.
