Drug-Free Tennessee Plans All-Out Effort for International Day Against Drug Abuse

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, and is planning a series of large-scale events for the 2017 International Day Against Drug Abuse.

In just the past week, news about drug abuse is rampant across Tennessee: a Tullahoma High School band co-director was arrested for the manufacture and sale of drugs, a Tennessee man was arrested for selling kratom, a Hendersonville nurse was arrested and accused of selling Xanax bars, and in Grainger County, 30 people were indicted in a drug roundup.

“When it comes to people’s lives being ruined by drugs and addiction, the news is just non-stop,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee. “We need to spread a positive drug-free message and educate as many people as possible and as fast as possible,” he says.

For this very reason, Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) has been working to organize a series of events in honor of International Day Against Drug Abuse, which takes place each year on June 26. “We have about 5 events planned so far,” says Fesler, but his group has high goals to educate people and intends to meet them.

International Day Against Drug Abuse was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime is leading a global campaign to raise awareness about the major challenge that illicit drugs represent to society as a whole, and especially to the young. The goal of the campaign is to mobilize support and inspire people to act against drug use, according to unodc.org.

DFT is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW), which is based in Los Angeles and has as its mission to educate people about the dangerous effects of drugs so they understand and can make informed choices on the subject. Fesler says, “There is a need in our communities to educate everyone on drugs, drugs impact all our lives in one way or another. That’s why we work with others so people can get a complete overview.” For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee, visit drugfreetn.org.