The Student Leadership Institute (SLI) prepares influential young people to make positive choices and set the tone among their peers. SLI allows students to leverage their skills as peer leaders to create a cultural shift toward avoidance of drug and alcohol usage. Using an evidence-based curriculum, students gain a comprehensive knowledge of the impact of substance use on their health and future. Students are equipped with key leadership skills such as advocacy, effective communication, public speaking, decision making and positively influencing others. This program is brought to Burlington County middle and high school students at no costs through funding provided by the NJ Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services and administered locally through the Burlington County Office of Human Services.