LRADAC Youth Leadership Summit puts student voices front and center in fight against youth substance use

Student leaders from across Lexington County will take center stage as LRADAC hosts a two-day Youth Leadership Summit on February 10 and 11, highlighting youth-driven solutions to substance use prevention and mental wellness. The summit will bring together middle and high school students who are not just participating in prevention efforts but leading them.

Designed to elevate youth voice and peer advocacy, the summit will feature student-led presentations, interactive discussions, and real-world examples of how young people are creating positive change in their schools and communities.

The Youth Leadership Summit will take place at the Lexington 2 District Office, 3205 Platt Springs Road, on both days, beginning at 10 am. To ensure age-appropriate learning and engagement, the summit will be held over two days. Middle school students will attend on February 10, followed by high school students on February 11. Students representing the Lexington One Community Coalition (LOCC) and the Rise Above It Lexington Two Community Coalition will showcase the progress they have made throughout the year and share how youth-led initiatives are influencing healthy choices among their peers.

A featured highlight of the summit will be a presentation from the Pickens County Youth Board, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a fully youth-led prevention board in action. Student leaders will discuss strategies that have contributed to their success, including empowering teens to take on leadership roles, amplifying youth voice, and creating sustainable, peer-driven prevention efforts that resonate with young audiences.

“As prevention specialists, it is incredibly powerful to watch young people step into leadership roles and influence positive change among their peers,” said Ashley Bodiford, LRADAC’s Director of Prevention. “This summit celebrates what students have already accomplished while giving them the tools, inspiration, and real-world examples to continue leading meaningful substance use prevention and mental wellness initiatives.”

The Youth Leadership Summit is funded through a five-year project award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding supports efforts to reduce the onset and progression of youth substance use while promoting mental well-being and overall health. The Partnership for Success grant (now branded as the Lexington United Project) strengthens local prevention infrastructure and supports sustainable, evidence-based, youth-focused prevention strategies.

For more information about LRADAC’s prevention programs, visit www.lradac.org/prevention-programs.