Drug-Free South Makes a Difference at National Night Out

Drug-Free South, a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, participated in Nashville’s annual National Night Out against Crime on August 6th.

Over 20 million Americans, or 8% of the population aged 12 or older, used illegal drugs within a one month period, according to National Survey on Drug Use and Health of 2008.  This is why the Foundation for a Drug-Free World is spreading its education initiatives further.

Anne Vallieres coordinates the local chapter, Drug-Free South.  “When you have an increased knowledge of something, you become more responsible and need to do something about it,” she says, “so by providing a working knowledge of what drugs really do to a person, young people recognize they shouldn’t be taking them.” 

At this recent event, Drug-Free South had a booth open to everyone in the community where they could stop by, ask questions, and get answers and true information on drugs to take home to read and share with others. Also during this event, The Drug-Free South leaders held a forum in the local community center to a group of around 40 individuals who were interested in learning more about the truth about drugs on a more personal level.

This program highlights and brings attention to this issue of drugs in our communities like never before. Drug-Free South has been educating students in and around Tennessee since 2009. So far, the group has enlightened over 15,000 students across 30 counties in the state.

The Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. It provides a “Truth About Drugs” booklet, an informational pamphlet that details short- and long-term effects of drugs, common street names and myths that a drug dealer might use to make a sale.  The Foundation offers educational materials free of charge to educators and anyone who wants to learn more about drugs.

For more information, or to get your own copy of the booklet, visit www.drugfreesouth.org.