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DRUG ABUSE IS LIFE ABUSE

Meet Our Training Team

Dean Wesley

Sheriff Deputy

Deputy Wesley Dean joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in January of 2013. Prior to being hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department he graduated from the University of La Verne in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. With the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Dean has had the privilege to work Custody Operations at the Intake Release Center and Patrol Operations in the City of Dana Point. During his time in both Custody and Patrol Operations, Deputy Dean was able to interact with hundreds of people addicted to illegal substances and responded to countless drug overdoses. These experiences inspired Deputy Dean to join the Public Affairs and Community Engagement Division, teaching drug prevention education for K-12 schools. Deputy Dean strongly believes that prevention through education is the key to a better future for our youth.

Brian Gunsolley

Sheriff Sergeant, Orange County
Sergeant Brian Gunsolley is a 21-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and is the current Sergeant of the Public Affairs and Community Engagement Division. He has spent the last 12 years educating the community on safety and believes in the power of prevention through education.

Andres Briceno

Sheriff Deputy, Orange County

Deputy Andres Briceno joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in February of 2008 and worked both Custody and Patrol Operations.  During his time in Patrol, he was assigned to the City of Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services, where he was a Field Training Officer and a School Resource Officer. Deputy Briceno’s commitment to child safety led him to the School Mobile Assessment Resource Team (SMART) for two years. He conducted threat assessments and investigated violence and weapon possession cases related to schools. Afterward, Deputy Briceno worked the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (GRIP) for two years, where he taught substance use and gang prevention education to children. He currently works in the Public Affairs and Community Engagement Division teaching drug prevention education for K-12 schools, with his main focus being the Next Step Program. Deputy Briceno has dedicated much of his career to child safety and believes strongly in the power of prevention education.

Bill Eldien

Chairman, DUILA

Maribel Marroquin-Waldram

Executive Director

Sheriff Don Barnes

Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Learn More About

A support group of the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council, Drug Use is Life Abuse was formed in response to the high rates of drug abuse in our county. The organization is working hard to bring leaders in business, government, education, religion, families, and law enforcement together to change the way society perceives drug use.

Our young people, who are our future, are in danger at the hands of drug abuse. There is a direct relationship between drug use and criminal behavior, as well as the dangers of addiction, injury, and death.

It’s time we work together to change the tolerant attitude toward drugs. It’s time we create a drug free society.

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Number of Schools Where Drug Education is Taught by a Deputy

1,975

Number of Students Reached by these Drug Education Classes

600+

Number of Schools in the County

600+

Number of Schools Reached by Red Ribbon Week

Our Programs

Drug Use is Life Abuse is proud to offer tailored programs for K-12th graders to teach drug, gang, and violence protection.

Interested in bringing Drug Abuse is Life Abuse to your school? Click Here to Make an Inquiry.

Adopt a School in Orange County

Change the lives of students by bringing our drug prevention program to a school of your choice

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Together We Can Be Drug Free!