Police & Schools Offer L.E.A.D. Program
City of Linden
The Linden Police Department has partnered with Linden Public Schools to offer L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) instruction to 5th grade students in Linden School # 8.
The L.E.A.D. program is a collaborative effort by certified law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents, and the community to offer an educational program in the classroom to prevent or reduce drug abuse and violence among children and youth.
The emphasis of the program in fifth grade is to help students recognize and resist the many direct and subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, or other drugs or to engage in violence. The L.E.A.D. program offers preventive strategies to enhance protective factors – especially bonding to the family, school, and community – which has been proven to help foster the development of resiliency in young people who may be at risk for substance abuse or other problem behaviors. It also helps to build the capacity of young people in making healthy, independent growth, despite adverse conditions. These strategies focus on the development of social competence, communication skills, self-esteem, empathy, decision-making, conflict resolution, sense of purpose and independence, and positive alternative activities to drug abuse and other destructive behaviors.
“A strong, engaged partnership with our schools is a cornerstone of our community policing philosophy,” said Police Chief David Hart. “The L.E.A.D. program has a proven record of success, and we are excited to have an opportunity to build and enhance the relationships between our Officers and students to create a safer and healthier environment within our schools.”
Before they can provide instruction, Officers must complete a 40-hour course to become a certified instructor. Six Linden Police Officers have attended the training thus far, and additional Officers are scheduled to attend.
Chief Hart added, “There is a significant commitment required to administer this program, and I want to thank Superintendent Perkins, Principal Rodriguez, and the Linden Board of Education recognizing the value of this program and bringing into our schools. It is my hope that the success of this program will warrant future expansion into other Linden schools.”
Student participation in the L.E.A.D. program is incorporated as part of the school’s curricular offering in health, science, social studies, language arts, or other subjects as appropriate.
“We are thankful for the Linden Police Department’s LEAD program. The program fosters a supportive and engaging educational environment. It also aligns with social and emotional learning by equipping students with valuable skills for self-awareness and having them think about responsible decision-making,” said Superintendent Atiya Perkins. “As Superintendent my vision is to strengthen partnerships with the community to influence positive student outcomes. The LEAD program plays a crucial role in establishing unbreakable bonds for unstoppable student progress.”
The NJ based L.E.A.D. program was started in 2014. The L.E.A.D. program is unique in that it has proven effective by third-party researchers. For additional information about the L.E.A.D. program please visit leadrugs.org.
