Youth Leadership Institute is an awesome group of unique individuals that have joined together to share ideas of living a healthy and drug-free lifestyle. Youth Leadership Institute consists of about forty youth from Sussex County high schools and is a part of the Sussex County Coalition for Healthy and Safe Families. Youth Leadership Institute meets monthly to discuss any concerns or issues they may have regarding substance abuse and violence. Members hear from various individuals and families who have been affected by substance abuse. In their efforts to raise awareness of substance abuse and violence in our county the youth volunteer at many community events. 

Youth Leadership Institute has created an exciting presentation called “Straight Talk w/ Youth Leadership Institute”. “Straight Talk” is an interactive game show that Youth Leadership Institute youth present in a fun and educational format to 7^th and 8^th grade middle school students. Youth Leadership Institute members break the audience into teams to learn new facts and answer different questions about various drugs. As a part of the presentation, Youth Leadership Institute also performs a refusal skills skit. This skit allows middle school students to become aware of the challenges of peer pressure and substance abuse they may face in high school, and how they can say “no”. This is a great opportunity for middle school youth to ask questions to their older peers.

To learn more about Youth Leadership Institute, contact Courtney by email or
973-383-4787.