BEDFORD COUNTY, TN – Starting the week of January 15, 325 students in the fifth grade at Cascade Elementary School, Community Elementary School and Liberty School will begin to be educated on the curriculum implemented by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence). L.E.A.D. is a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence.

School Resource Officers (SROs) Cam Farrell, Chase Bledsoe and Tyler Saylers of Bedford County Sheriff’s Office were trained by L.E.A.D. to teach the program’s proven effective curriculum. Now, with assistance from Sergeant Tracey Harvey, who was also trained by the organization to become a L.E.A.D. instructor, they’ll educate the fifth grade students on the harms of drugs and violence as well as help them to build skills surrounding effective communication and conflict resolution, for instance.

“By teaching our program that stresses the importance of drug and violence prevention as well as setting attainable goals, managing emotions and making wise decisions, the SROs and Sgt. Harvey have the opportunity to completely change young students’ lives,” said Nick DeMauro, CEO of L.E.A.D. “Therefore, we’re thrilled that they chose to become trained to teach the evidence-based curriculum implemented by our organization. We know that they’ll do an excellent job helping us to continue achieving our goal of bettering the relationship between police officers and communities.”

L.E.A.D. provides services “On The Street” and “In The Classroom” as it brings law enforcement and communities closer together. The “In The Classroom” program is taught by 4200 trained instructors in 44 states. L.E.A.D. has a proven effective, law enforcement-focused anti–drug, anti–violence curriculum for K-12 students in the U.S. The L.E.A.D. curriculum is taught over the course of a 10-week program to educate youth on how they can make smart decisions without the involvement of drugs or violence.

Sgt. Harvey says she’s grateful that she and her colleagues have the opportunity to teach the L.E.A.D. program to fifth graders as she believes that it’ll give them a better understanding of how to respond to peer pressure.

“Being influenced to become involved in matters such as alcohol, drugs and violence is something that the kids will most likely have to face during their middle school years,” said. Sgt. Harvey. “Therefore, I think that fifth grade is one of the best grades to teach the L.E.A.D. curriculum to. When the students enter their next phases of life, they’ll be better equipped to handle circumstances in which they’re pressured by their peers to do things that they’re not comfortable with.”

“By incorporating L.E.A.D. into the kids’ school curriculum, we look forward to building awareness about the consequences of making bad decisions and, as a result, helping to prevent situations that involve harmful substances and bullying from occurring,” she added.

The interaction in the classroom will be a great help in forming bonds between the children and the Bedford County SROs, says Sgt. Harvey.

“Since we don’t normally get to spend quality time with the students, let alone have the chance to instruct them on why it’s vital to avoid alcohol, drugs and violence and teach them skills that will help them to achieve success, L.E.A.D. will be an excellent way to build relationships with them,” she said.

“Despite that the kids may not have previously known me and SROs Farrell, Bledsoe and Saylers very well, I believe that throughout the program, they’ll learn that we truly want the best for them,” added Sgt. Harvey. “By making it known that we want to serve as a network of resources to our community, I’m confident that we’ll play a substantial part in bridging the gap between our sheriff’s office and the folks in Bedford County.”

About L.E.A.D. - L.E.A.D. provides the leadership, resources and management to ensure law enforcement agencies have the means to partner with educators, community leaders, and families. L.E.A.D. succeeds by providing proven and effective programs to deter youth and adults from drug use, drug related crimes, bullying and violence. L.E.A.D. is committed to reinforcing the mutual respect, goodwill and relations between law enforcement and their communities. For more information, visit https://www.leadrugs.org/.