CONTACT: Jay Lawrence, 507-430-9545, jay.p.lawrence@us.army.mil

FOR RELEASE: Friday, Jun 22, 2012

BUFFALO, NY (06/20/2012)-- Maj. Scott Golden, a native of Olean, N.Y., has been selected to serve as the New York National Guard Counterdrug Program Regional Coordinator for Western New York. Golden will be replacing Maj. Roger Lance, native of Tonawanda, N.Y. Lance is retiring after more than 23 years of service in the National Guard, with 16 of those years spent working to reduce the use and abuse of illegal substances in New York. Golden will provide oversight and management of the Western Region, which encompasses 22 counties, 12 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and provides support to at least four law enforcement agencies and 15 community-based organizations. "I look forward to the challenges and rewards of this job," Golden said, "as my team of professionals in this region work to support the goals and objectives of the CDC and the program." Golden has participated in operations both stateside and in Afghanistan. He began his military career in 1996. He was an enlisted Soldier then, a combat medic with the 127th Armor Battalion. He attended Houghton College while attending St. Bonaventure University on a ROTC scholarship. He became an officer in 2000. Lance deployed several times during his career both stateside and overseas, including operations after 9/11 and in Afghanistan. During his time in Counterdrug, he supported the DEA as a criminal analyst and developed youth programs as Drug Demand Reduction Administrator. The National Guard Demand Reduction (DDR) program supports drug prevention coalitions, other state organizations and local agencies to reduce the abuse and illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Serving as drug-free role models, Soldiers and Airmen provide a positive influence on young Americans who increasingly face drugs, crime, and violence in New York’s school systems. Posted Wednesday June 20, 2012 at 04:34 pm by New York State Divisi