Drug-Free South Wants Every Night to Be a Night Out Against Crimes

Drug-Free South participated in National Night Out Against Crime by distributing the Truth About Drugs booklets.

A Nashville community hosted a block party on 12^th Avenue South from Edgehill to Horton Avenue in honor of the “Night Out Against Crime.” Stopping crime before it starts: that is the idea behind these events where police come together with residents and community organizations.

Drug-Free South participates each year, but coordinator Rev. Brian Fesler says he would prefer it if every night was a night out against crime, “Drug-Free South is all about reversing the demand for drugs. Without the demand, the marketplace would dry up and our kids would dry out.”

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to natw.org.

Drug-Free South representatives say they want to reach more people.  “We gave out 500 booklets, but that’s just one community – we need to reach more,” says Anne Vallieres who volunteers for Drug-Free South.  “It is important to get this booklet into many people’s hands so we can prevent drug abuse at all levels.”

For more information on National Night Out, visit natw.org.  For more information on Drug-Free South or to order a Truth About Drugs booklet, visit drugfreesouth.org.