When: December 11, 2025
Where: The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm
Time: 2:30 – 4:00PM

More About the Event

Each year, Metro Drug Coalition honors leaders in the community who are making Knoxville a safe and healthier place to live. We honor these individuals and celebrate their incredible work, as well as the work on MDC’s Coalition. We hope to see you at this year’s event. 

Finger foods and refreshments provided.

12th Annual Community Champion Awards Nominations

Nominations for the 12th Annual Community Champion Awards are open September 19th. Nominations will be reviewed October 17th-November 4th. Nominees will be notified via email by November 7th.

Coalition Member of the Year

This award will be given to a coalition member who exhibited commitment to the organization through meeting participation, committee leadership and project implementation.

Innovations in Substance Misuse Prevention Award

This award will be given to an individual who implemented and/or oversaw a groundbreaking prevention project within the substance misuse prevention field.

Outstanding Mentor Award

This award honors a person who made a significant investment in mentoring a youth or youths in Knox County.

Media Advocacy Award

This award is dedicated to the local media professional that brought great awareness to and generated community conversation around substance misuse.

Recovery Services Award

This award will be presented to a treatment professional or organization that has expanded services and/or reduced stigma facing people with addictions.

Celebrate Recovery Award

This award will be presented to a person who has gone through recovery and has put forth extreme effort in making a positive change through their journey.

Emerging Leader Award

This award will be given to a “rising star” in the area of substance misuse prevention. The nominee should be a youth or teen trailblazer under 25.

Outstanding Healthcare Provider

This award goes to a healthcare provider who has exhibited outstanding service in the field of substance misuse & treatment.

Mental Health Advocacy Award

This award is presented to a person who has done exceptional work promoting mental health or providing mental health services in our community.

Outstanding Prevention Educator

This award honors an educator from Knox County Schools who has gone above and beyond to foster healthy habits in their students.