L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to delivering evidence-based drug, alcohol, and violence prevention education to students in grades 3–12 and communities across the United States. Every day, young people face moments that can alter the course of their lives—exposure to drugs, peer pressure, violence, and decisions they are not yet equipped to navigate. Founded in 2014, L.E.A.D. was created to meet those moments early, equipping youth with the skills and confidence to make healthy choices before high-risk behaviors begin.

Since its founding, L.E.A.D. has grown into a nationwide prevention leader, with more than 6,500 law enforcement officers trained and active programming in over 2,500 schools, with services available in all 50 States. Behind these numbers are thousands of young lives reached—students who are better prepared to resist negative influences and make informed decisions. Each trained officer serves as a force multiplier—delivering prevention education directly to students while extending that impact through meaningful engagement with families and community partners.

At the core of L.E.A.D.’s model is a unique and effective approach: transforming law enforcement officers into trusted educators and mentors. Officers deliver structured, evidence-based curriculum through L.E.A.D.’s In the Classroom initiative for students in grades 3–12, while reinforcing those lessons through On the Street—L.E.A.D.’s Community Prevention Initiative—which engages youth and families directly within their communities. This dual-delivery model not only equips young people with critical life skills, but also strengthens trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve—ensuring prevention is both accessible and reinforced where youth live and learn.

As part of its ongoing commitment to delivering the highest standard of prevention programming, L.E.A.D. has transitioned to the Botvin LifeSkills Training curriculum, recognized as one of the most extensively researched and proven prevention programs in the United States. This ensures that every lesson delivered is grounded in evidence and designed to address the root causes of substance use, bullying, and violence.

Grounded in this evidence-based framework, L.E.A.D.’s programming is both outcomes-driven and highly scalable. The organization provides comprehensive training, certification, and ongoing support to ensure fidelity of implementation nationwide. By aligning law enforcement, schools, and community stakeholders around a shared prevention strategy, L.E.A.D. is not only preventing risk—it is shaping futures, strengthening communities, and creating lasting social and economic impact.

L.E.A.D.’s MISSION

We provide the leadership, resources and management to ensure law enforcement agencies have the means to partner with our educators, community leaders, and families to foster violence and substance use prevention in local schools and communities. We succeed by providing proven and effective programs to deter youth and adults from drug use, drug related crimes, bullying and violence. We are committed to reinforcing the mutual respect, goodwill and relations between law enforcement and their communities.

L.E.A.D.’s VISION

To create safer, healthier communities, schools, youths, and teens, with substance use prevention, anti-bullying, and violence reduction initiatives throughout our country and ultimately the world.

L.E.A.D.’s STRATEGIC GOALS

In support of our mission and vision, the goals of our violence, bullying, and substance use prevention programs for teens, youths, schools, and communities are as follows:

1. To grow our evidence-based model to every state in the union.
2. Provide resources to an additional 1,000 schools.
3. To educate 1.5 million students as to the dangers of drugs, related crimes and bullying.
4. To develop and initiate community awareness programs that bring together law enforcement with the local citizens.
5. To engage in 501(c)(3) fundraising in order to provide the necessary resources to execute our mission.