Stopping Addiction Before It Starts.
Addiction begins long before most people think. RIZE Prevention intervenes early with research-backed prevention, mentorship, and family support.
Donate Now!Reaching Students • Changing Lives
The Impact of RIZE Prevention
Students who have received the iRIZE Program this school year
Total students who have received our program since we began
Students who have received group or 1-on-1 coaching this school year
Schools and organizations that have received the iRIZE Program
For Churches
Learn about our Beyond Genesis3 Program, and how you can stand with us in this battle.
Click hereYouth substance use is rising—so must our response.
Why Prevention Can't Wait
Across South Carolina, youth face increasing pressures and easy access to substances like nicotine, THC, alcohol, opioids, and counterfeit pills. For many, substance use starts as self-medication for mental health struggles and emotional pain.
- 22 adolescents die every week from overdose in the U.S.
- Fentanyl deaths among youth rose 565% between 2018–2023.
- 90% of addictions begin in adolescence.
Every youth we reach today becomes one less life lost tomorrow.
Prevention Changes Everything
Prevention isn't just compassionate—it's cost-effective and transformative. Each young person who delays or avoids substance use reduces future strain on schools, law enforcement, and healthcare.
RIZE Prevention builds protective factors—trust, belonging, and hope—so youth can rise into their full potential as healthy, resilient community members.
See the ResultsA breakthrough model that builds connection before correction to transform our communities
The RIZE Way: Recovery-Informed Prevention©
Our signature Recovery-Informed Prevention© method combines evidence-based prevention science with compassionate mentorship. Through our Break Through – Follow Through© approach, we help youth feel seen, heard, and valued—so they can make healthy, confident choices for life.
Real Impact
The Measurable Difference of RIZE Prevention
RIZE Prevention is making a measurable impact in schools and in the lives of youth. Partner schools consistently report lower rates of substance use, improved academic performance, fewer behavioral issues, and a stronger, more positive school culture.
91.8%
feel more comfortable saying "no" if offered substances
93.1%
were inspired to have conversations with family or friends about drugs or alcohol
90%+
reported greater awareness of the risks of drug use and knowledge of where to turn for help
"RIZE has helped me realize that being a leader means helping your friends, making good choices, and has helped me with confidence in the choices I'm making for my future self. Now I am joining the youth board to help others stay drug-free and make a better future for themselves."
— Anthony
Student
"iRIZE is absolutely phenomenal…our kids look forward to them coming…they come quite often…they come in and just pour into our kids…giving them that motivation, encouragement, and inspiration."
— Lisa Gilliard
Assistant Principal, Pickens Middle School
"The iRize small groups have given some of my high-flying students something to look forward to at school – it's given them a place to connect with their peers in a positive, guided environment."
— Emily Knott
M.Ed., LPC-A, League Academy of Communication Arts
"The mentoring and relationship-building is my favorite thing about iRIZE. Their presentations are real and from the heart. I felt they truly cared about me."
— iRIZE Student
"iRIZE has been an exceptional program for our students… There's been a great reduction in vapes… The students definitely have a greater understanding of the associated risks, and they love the iRIZE liaisons that come into our schools."
— iRIZE School Leader
Together, We Can RIZE Above Addiction
Your partnership builds the foundation for a healthier generation. Join us as we equip youth, strengthen families, and build resilient, addiction-free communities—one life at a time.
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