July-September Newsletter
Legislative Update
A message from Karen Pershing, MDC Executive Director. During a year where gun bills dominated the Tennessee General Assembly’s media focus, there were a number of bills passed assisting in the prevention of substance abuse
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Coalition Spotlight: Laura Bryant
This special section highlights the work of our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with Laura Bryant with UT Health Education & Wellness Center.
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Medication Collection Recap
The results are in from our April and May Medication Take-Back Events. Continue reading to see how much we collected this quarter!
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Recovery Corner
Learn new recovery groups available in our region!
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Richard Yoakley Door Contest
The staff and students of Richard Yoakley, Knox County’s Alternative Learning School, have implemented an Anti-Bully Campaign in a very creative way. The students helped engage other students about by having a door decorating contest.
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Tobacco Education
This summer we will be providing tobacco education with the Kiwanis Fresh Air Camp, YMCA, and Boys and Girls Clubs.
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Race Sponsorship’s Available
The 1st annual Race Against Destructive Decisions 5K (RADD) and Family Fun Run will be held Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Sequoyah Hills Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. Coordinated by the MDC, this race will benefit local SADD chapters in the Knox County School System. Interested in sponsoring? Read more to find out how!
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MDC Establishes Endowment
The Metropolitan Drug Commission’s Board of Directors, after careful consideration, has made the decision to establish an endowment fund with the East Tennessee Foundation. Endowments help non-profit organizations build an infrastructure to support the sustainability for the communities they serve.
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Knox County Beer Board Raises Fines
The Knox County Beer Board has increased fines to send a stronger message to permit holders that selling alcohol to minors is a serious issue.
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Grainger County Town Hall
The Grainger United Anti-Drug Coalition held a Town Hall meeting on April 23. Many different agencies who offer services in Grainger County and in the surrounding area were present.
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MDC Welcomes New Staff Member
Devin Payne has joined the Metropolitan Drug Commission as the new Youth Coordinator.
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April-June Newsletter
Coalition Spotlight: Sarah Jones, Susannah’s House
This special section highlights the work of our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with Sarah Jones from Susannah’s House.
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You don’t always have to be the life of the party
Prom season is finally here. Parents may think that supervised drinking at prom parties will keep their kids safe and out of trouble. Your intentions may be good, but underage drinking is illegal.
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Smoke Free Knoxville Kick Butts Day
On Sunday, March 22, Youth Health Board students, along with pharmacy students from South College and Smoke-Free Knoxville volunteers, held an event to stand up against tobacco.
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SADD Update
With prom and graduation season quickly approaching, SADD students are focusing their energy on ensuring that their classmates make safe decisions.
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Palcohol: Parents be Aware
The state Senate passed a bill on March 12 that would ban the sale of powdered alcohol in Tennessee.
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Local Businesses are Committed to Preventing Underage Alcohol Sales
We would like to congratulate 84 businesses for their commitment to underage drinking prevention. These responsible vendors refused to sell to a minor during recent compliance checks by the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office. Thank you for helping keep alcohol out of the hands of young people!
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For the Health of it: Early Education on Alcoholism and Addiction
In a society that continually promotes alcohol and drug use at every level — even here in Knoxville, Tennessee — the need to provide education on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and its effect on children has never been greater.
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Pill Mills Continue to Ravage our Community and State
The recent pain management clinic raids in Knoxville and Lenoir City have yet again brought to light the path of death and destruction they not only create, but leave behind. Many people ask, how in the world can these clinics open and operate in the state of Tennessee?
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Born Drug-Free Tennessee Recap
On February 9, 2015, a press conference was held at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to unveil Born Drug-Free Tennessee (BDFTN). Partners from across the region and state were in attendance for this monumental day.
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January-March Newsletter
Coming Soon, Very Soon: “Born Drug Free Tennessee” In an effort to create awareness and educate both women of childbearing age and the general public, we are launching a new campaign, “Born Drug Free Tennessee.” Read More
Coalition Spotlight: Renaissance Preferred Prenatal Outcomes Network (PPON) This special section highlights the work our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with Evan Sexton from Renaissance Preferred Prenatal Outcomes Network (PPON). Read More
Meet our new Coalition Executive Committee! The Metropolitan Drug Commission is proud to introduce the 2015 Coalition Executive Committee. Read more to learn who our new committee is for 2015! Read More
SADD Update See what our local SADD Chapters have been up to for the past quarter! Read More
Legislative Luncheon On November 10, Metropolitan Drug Commission and Board of Directors hosted the 4th Annual Legislative Luncheon. State and Local officials were in attendance for this event. Read More
Community Champion Awards In December 2014, MDC hosted the 2nd Annual Community Champion Awards. These awards were created to honor leaders in substance abuse prevention. Check out who won! Read More
Grand Families Grand Families is a new program that MDC is assisting in its start up. Check out the great work this organization has already accomplished! Read More
New PFS Grant The Metropolitan Drug Commission has been chosen, along with 10 other East Tennessee counties, to receive a new state grant targeting prescription drug abuse among young people. Read More
Active Parenting Active Parenting of Teens is an interactive video and discussion program listed by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. Interested in learning more? Click below and find out! Read More “Shatter the Myths, Get the Facts.” During National Drug Facts Week National Drug Facts Week, a time to raise awareness about the myths of drug abuse and addiction, is on January 26- February 1. Read More
October-December Newsletter
New Law Causes Confusion Are you confused about Tennessee’s new law regarding pregnancy and substance use? You are not alone! Read More Hey Principals and Teachers: Do you have SADD Chapters in your school? SADD believes in the power of young people and their ability to influence their peers to make healthy decisions. If you are interested in starting a SADD chapter in your school and empowering your students to be positive role models let MDC help you! Read More Tobacco Compliance Check The MDC has teamed with the SADD Chapter of Fulton High School to facilitate a Tobacco Compliance Check. Read More Partnership for Success During the past five years, the TN Division of Substance Abuse Services (DSAS) has utilized the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to address the problem of underage drinking and youth binge drinking. Read More Community Champions Luncheon It’s time for nominations for the 2nd annual MDC Community Champions Luncheon! Do you know someone who is making Knoxville a safer and healthier place to live? Nominate them for an award. Read More Fake ID Training On August 4, the Metropolitan Drug Commission hosted a special fake ID training at Hilton Garden Inn for 20 servers, bartenders and bouncers on Cumberland Ave. Read More Coalition Spotlight: Chance House This special section highlights the work of our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with Desiree Bowers from Chance House. She not only shared her story on how Chance House started, she also shared her journey of recovery. Read More Recognizing Outgoing Board Members As the year comes to an end, six members are rotating off of the MDC Board of Directors. Read More Welcome our New Staff Member! The Metropolitan Drug Commission is proud to introduce our new employee. Read More Teens and Pregaming What should you know as a parent about teens and pregaming? Read More
July-September Newsletter
Prescription for Success Plan Statewide Strategies to Prevent and Treat the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic in Tennessee. Read More Hey Principals and Teachers: Do you have SADD Chapters in your school? SADD believes in the power of young people and their ability to influence their peers to make healthy decisions. If you are interested in starting a SADD chapter in your school and empowering your students to be positive role models let MDC help you! Read More The Mayors’ Youth Action Council As the end of the 2013-2014 school year comes to a close, so do certain youth activities. This year The Mayors’ Youth Action Council YAC, a civic engagement program for Knox county high school students, is coming to an end. Read More Coalition Spotlight: FitRx This special section highlights the work our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with Patricia Hammonds with American Addiction Center. Read More How do you Boat Safe? Tips on keeping safe on the water this summer. Read More Meet Our New Staff The Metropolitan Drug Commission is proud to introduce our two new employees. Read More ID Bill Signed into Law On June 3, Governor Bill Haslam signed into law House Bill 1466, Senate Bill 1832. Read More Tips on how to Communicate with your Teens Learn the correct tips on how to communicate with your teen on drug and alcohol use. Read More Legalizing Medical Marijuana in TN: The Debate Continues The issue that has swept the US in recent news is legalizing marijuana for medical use. Currently, there are 22 states that have legalized medical marijuana, as well as DC. But only two states, Colorado and Washington State, have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Read More
April-June Newsletter
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Journey Beyond the NICU Special note from Whitney Moore, adoptive parent of a baby born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Read More Attacking Knox County’s Pill Ills In August of 2013, the Metropolitan Drug Commission convened stakeholders to join together to create a plan to reduce the impact the prescription drug epidemic is having in Knoxville/Knox County. Read More Tobacco Deaths in the US In the United States, someone dies from tobacco related causes every 77 seconds.In participation with the March 19th National Kick Butts Day, a day of youth activism, the Knox County Youth Health Board and Smoke Free Knoxville gave an impactful demonstration to speak out against tobacco. Read More Smoke Free Knoxville Smoke-Free Knoxville (SFK) has joined with UT’s Greek organizations to promote public parks free of secondhand smoke. See how these organizations have come together to stop this problem. Read More April is Alcohol Awareness Month: “Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow” Every April since 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., or NCADD, holds an Alcohol Awareness Month to help community’s nationwide focus on alcohol related issues. Read More Coalition Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Sherrod, Sherrod Investigative Group This special section highlights the work our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with Elizabeth Sherrod from Sherrod Investigative Group. Read More Encouraging change in others: Are you helping or hindering? Making a change in your life is a difficult task, whether it’s losing those last few pounds or stopping the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. But when it’s a loved one in need of a change, how can you help without shutting them down? Read More Is alcohol derailing your diet? The time for New Year’s resolutions is upon us. If you feel stuck in a weight loss plateau, you may want to consider your alcohol consumption. Read More
January-March Newsletter
Hey Principals and Teachers: Our student video and poster competitions are back! For a third straight year, MDC is hosting its teen video competition. Students may choose to focus on underage drinking, prescription drug abuse or a tobacco. The contest is open to all high school teens in Knox County, both public and private. Read More Coalition Spotlight: New Life Lodge This special section highlights the work our coalition partners are doing to keep our community safe, healthy and drug-free. Last month, we spoke with LaDonna Booker from New Life Lodge. Read More Boys, Bullying and Booze, Oh My! The Sister-To-Sister summit gave nearly 100 girls from Vine, Holston, Carter and Whittle Springs Middle Schools the skills to tackle challenges every young woman faces. In small breakout sessions, the girls developed action plans for addressing drugs and alcohol, bullying, dating, peer pressure, body esteem and academics. Read More Good news: Abuse rates down for many popular drugs among teens It’s not all doom and gloom. Fewer Knoxville teens are experimenting with alcohol and drugs than in years past, according to a recently released survey. Read More “Shatter the Myths. Get the Facts.” during National Drug Facts Week National Drug Facts Week, a time to raise awareness about the myths of drug abuse and addiction, is coming on January 27 – February 2. Read More Community Champion Awards recognizes five leaders in substance abuse prevention MDC hosted its inaugural Community Champion Awards on December 2, honoring five local people who are making Knoxville a safer, healthier place to live. Read More Tim Wright of AAA Tennessee wins Substance Abuse Prevention Advocacy Award A local leader has been recognized for his commitment to reducing underage drinking and impaired driving. Read More New Mayors’ Youth Action Council members chosen The Knoxville/Knox County Mayors’ Youth Action Council (YAC), representing teen leaders from across the county, welcomed 18 members this fall. YAC is charged with ensuring youth have a voice in local government while connecting teens with community and volunteer projects. Read More Local juvenile court chosen as model site for nationwide project Knox County Juvenile Court has been selected as one of six courts in the nation to participate in the Learning Collaborative project through the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Read More