Paramus Police Officer Recognized Nationally for His Commitment to Teaching Children Dangers of Drugs

PARAMUS, NJ — Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.), a national nonprofit organization committed to protecting children from the risks of drugs and bullying, awarded Paramus Police Detective Lieutenant James Teehan its ‘L.E.O. Award.’ 

Lieutenant Teehan teaches the L.E.A.D. curriculum, Too Good for Drugs, to fifth grade students at East Brook Middle School and West Brook Middle School. Due to COVID-19, he was required to conduct the program partially online.

“Even though we were happy to have any interaction at all this year, teaching the L.E.A.D. curriculum in a new, virtual way really made us appreciate being able to teach in person even more,” Teehan said.

“We want to congratulate Lieutenant Teehan on his tremendous dedication toward going above and beyond to help children remain drug and violence free,” said Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of L.E.A.D. Nick DeMauro. “This year was a challenge for everyone, and we commend Lieutenant Teehan as well as the other Paramus L.E.A.D. instructors on their ability to successfully help students complete L.E.A.D. programs remotely.”

Supported by dedicated police officers like Lieutenant Teehan, L.E.A.D. provides the leadership and resources so law enforcement agencies can partner with educators, community leaders and families with the only proven effective anti–drug, anti–violence curriculum for students K-12. Over the course of the 10-week program, officers such as Teehan teach the L.E.A.D. curriculum to educate our youth on how they can make smart decisions without the involvement of drugs. L.E.A.D. currently operates in 33 states across the U.S.

As police officers and children form positive relationships that they would not normally develop through the program, the impact that L.E.A.D. has on children is immense, Lieutenant Teehan said.

“In today’s climate especially, it’s great to be able to have open dialogue on the daily lives that we lead as officers with our students,” Teehan said. “I notice that students like to acknowledge the interaction they had with us when they get older. It’s evident that the joy L.E.A.D. has brought them passes on to their parents when we convene with them at community events.”

The feedback that Lieutenant Teehan receives after his students go through L.E.A.D. is most rewarding to him.

“When we see students at events such as L.E.A.D. carnivals, they always introduce us to their parents, which gives us an immense amount of pride,” he said.

To learn more about L.E.A.D., click here.

Original article: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/paramus/sections/education/articles/paramus-police-officer-recognized-nationally-for-his-commitment-to-teaching-children-dangers-of-drugs