ENGLEWOOD, N.J. – October 24, 2017 – L.E.A.D (Law Enforcement Against Drugs), the only law enforcement- focused organization offering K-12 proven effective evidence-based Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) curricula – and the leading drug prevention program taught in the New Jersey school system – intensified its drug prevention efforts and trained over 80 new instructors including Englewood law enforcement in September.

Training was held at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, New Jersey on September 20, 21, 22, 25, 26 and included law enforcement from the following municipalities: East Rutherford, Edgewater, Elmwood Park, Englewood, Fairview, Garfield, Harrington Park, Haworth, Lyndhurst, Maywood, Moonachie, New Milford, Paramus, Ramsey, Rochelle Park, Rutherford, Saddle Brook, Wallington, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake. In total about 50 Bergen County towns have L.E.A.D. certified instructors.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I commend all the new L.E.A.D. officers and their agencies not only for their commitment in implementing our certified drug prevention and education program, but also for their genuine concern for the young students and families of their community,” said L.E.A.D. Chairman Robert J. Kugler.

L.E.A.D. is a comprehensive drug prevention initiative with an IN THE CLASSROOM component for students and an ON THE STREET component for law enforcement. Currently, there are over 1000 L.E.A.D. instructors in over 250 communities in all 21 New Jersey counties certified in various aspects of L.E.A.D. Since established in 2014, instructors have taught IN THE CLASSROOM lessons to over 120,000 New Jersey students in over 400 schools.

“We are a leader in drug prevention education in the state of New Jersey using only proven effective evidence-based curricula in our IN THE CLASSROOM program. With every new officer trained in the L.E.A.D. curricula, it is yet another opportunity to educate children about the dangers of drug abuse,” said Nick DeMauro, Executive Director and CEO of L.E.A.D.

“Our L.E.A.D. initiative is at the grassroots level and has the ability to make a difference around the state dealing with the very serious issues of opioid drug addiction, bullying and violence in our communities.”

Training was also held throughout September at the Ocean County Fire Academy in Waretown, New Jersey; the Camden County Police Academy in Blackwood, New Jersey; and on October 3 at the East Orange Board of Education in conjunction with the East Orange Police Department.

For information about L.E.A.D. in your community, please visit http://leadrugs.org/ or call 609-259-2500.

About L E.A.D.

L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) established in 2014, includes IN THE CLASSROOM and ON THE STREET initiatives with a mission to prevent drug abuse, deter drug related crimes, eliminate violence and bullying, and promote law enforcement. Supported by dedicated law enforcement, L.E.A.D. officers are committed to protecting youth and communities by collaborating with educators, community leaders, families, and L. E. A. D. support organizations.

L.E.A.D. is the only law enforcement-focused 501(c) (3) charitable organization offering K-12 proven effective evidence-based Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) curricula in its IN THE CLASSROOM program. We do this in partnership with the Mendez Foundation and its Too Good For Drugs and Too Good For Violence family of curricula. These scripted lessons help develop students’ prosocial skills as well as skills to resist pressures to use alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The program also teaches life skills such as conflict resolution, decision making, and effective communication. Our ON THE STREET program gives law enforcement science-based information and skills providing officers best practices to bring back to their respective agencies to support community prevention programs creating safer and healthier communities free of drugs, bullying, and violence.