LEAD - Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence

05/30/2026

L.E.A.D. CEO Nick De Mauro with LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT SHERIFF Kevin McMahill at the MOVEMENT FORWARD Conference.

05/30/2026

Proud to recognize such a great Officer

Here's a bit of exciting news that we couldn't wait to share! Students and families from Avoca Elementary all know and love School Resource Officer Josh Graham, but his positive influence is being recognized far beyond Bristol. Next week, Officer Graham will travel to the LEAD - Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence national training conference where he will be recognized as the LEAD Instructor of the Year for Tennessee for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the program.

We'll have more information and photos to share then, but for now, join us in sending our heartfelt congratulations to Officer Graham for all he does to keep our community safe and for his leadership in helping our children understand the importance of making safe and healthy decisions.

05/22/2026

Our deepest gratitude goes to the Robert E. & Marie Orr Smith Foundation for their continued support of L.E.A.D. and our community prevention mission!

On opening night of our annual L.E.A.D. Fest carnival at the Westfield Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, Robert Orr Jr. and Robert Orr III presented L.E.A.D. CEO Nick DeMauro with a ceremonial check representing another year of support.

On hand tonight was Captain James Teehan of the Paramus Police Department, a longtime Certified L.E.A.D. Instructor and member of our 2026 pilot program for our Community Prevention Officer initiative.

Thank you again to the Orr family for their many years of support that have helped us bring evidence-based prevention to communities nationwide!

05/18/2026

⏰ Still need to reserve your hotel room at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City for the L.E.A.D. 21st Century Drug & Violence Prevention Training Conference?

Our discounted hotel room block closes THIS FRIDAY, May 22nd!!

👉Don't miss your chance to take advantage of our discounted rate, exclusively for attendees of our conference!

✅ Visit https://leadrugs.org/conference for event details and instructions for booking your hotel reservation.

05/18/2026

📣 Big News! 📣

Sara Carter, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, has agreed to speak at the L.E.A.D. 21st Century Drug & Violence Training Conference on June 2nd!

PLUS she will be joined by ONDCP's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roneet Lev, who also serves as Assistant Director, Office of Public Health.

Conference passes are still available for the full conference or for a single day!

Find details here: https://leadrugs.org/conference

05/12/2026

My condolances Sheriff

The is deeply saddened over the passing of Alfred Golden Sr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Mr. Golden, the father of , was a proud supporter of the MCSO, the County and community throughout his life.

Known for his kindness, warmth, and generosity, Mr. Golden was truly a wonderful and devoted family man who touched countless lives. His unwavering support, compassion, and genuine spirit will never be forgotten.

The MCSO extends heartfelt condolences to the entire Golden family.

Mr. Golden will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege and pleasure to know him.

05/10/2026

We’re proud of our staff! Pictured here is our Director of Data Science John Thomson at the L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival in Virginia Beach. In Bethesda MD is our VP of Special Events, Nicholas DeMauro who is handling our L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival at the Westfield Montgomery Mall. Our staff understand that we serve and as a charity we need funds and family drug free events to provide our mission. Thank you John and Nich DeMauro and to their mothers who will have to wait to celebrate Mothers Day!

04/30/2026

⏰ Training Conference Countdown: 1 Month to Go!

Tickets are still available to attend L.E.A.D.'s 21st Centure Drug and Violence Training Conference in Atlantic City, June 1-4.

https://leadrugs.org/conference

👉 Included with Registration: 1-Day Training in our new Botvin LifeSkills Training curriculum! We are offering the 1-Day Training on each day, Monday through Thursday, for current L.E.A.D. instructors and anyone trained to deliver a prevention curriculum in the classroom.

Not yet trained to teach in the classroom? Choose the 5-Day ticket!

Along with L.E.A.D. training, our packed Conference program will include sessions Monday through Wednesday on these topics and more!
☑️ L.E.A.D.’s new Community Prevention Officer initiative
☑️ Keynote: Dr. Roneet Lev, Chief Medical Officer, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
☑️ Safer Schools Together
☑️ Counter Terrorism
☑️ The Digital Drug Market: Threats, Trends, and Intervention Methods for Youth Safety
☑️ Comfort Dogs
☑️ The Biology of Youth Behavior
☑️ Mental Health Resiliency for First Responders

Need more information about the conference? Visit our website for details about content, hotel accommodations, and more.

04/27/2026

🥳 Let's celebrate the newest graduates of L.E.A.D. at the Sandyston-Walpack School in Newton, NJ! Thanks to Sheriff Strada, Corporal Schilling, and the rest of the Sussex County Sheriff's Office for the support!

Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada is proud to announce that, on April 16, 2026, Mrs. Yanecko’s 6th grade class at Sandyston-Walpack School successfully completed the 10-week LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence) program.

The program was instructed by Corporal R. Schilling and concluded with a LEAD graduation ceremony held at the school.

Throughout the 10-week program, students learned about the dangers and effects of drugs and alcohol, the importance of making responsible decisions, setting goals, effective communication, and how to identify and manage emotions.

Following the graduation ceremony, students had the opportunity to explore Sussex County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles and enjoyed a K-9 demonstration conducted by Detective Scott and K-9 Ace.

04/23/2026

L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence) has gone farther than we ever have before! Help us in congratulating the class of 41 police officers in UTQIAĠVIK, ALASKA (!!) who completed the L.E.A.D. Certified Instructor training program!

Although communities are separated by vast landscapes and harsh Arctic conditions, dozens of law enforcement officers and education partners came together to learn how to better reach young people with evidence-based drug and violence prevention strategies.

Read more here: https://www.leadrugs.org/lead-trains-officers-in-alaska