FY 2004 Continuation Drug Free Communities Support Program

The Metropolitan Drug Commission (MDC) serves as the primary drug abuse prevention partnership for Knoxville, Tennessee, a federally designated Round II Empowerment Zone with a population of 385,572. The coalition utilizes a multi-sector, multi-strategic approach to reach parents and children where they live, learn, work, and socialize to increase protective factors and to reduce risk factors associated with substance abuse. The goals of the coalition are to: 1) decrease self-reported alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by local middle school students; and 2) strengthen the coalition through public relations, promotion of prevention and treatment resources, and organizational development. To achieve these goals, the coalition will implement the following strategies:
1) provide middle school students with an annual drama presentation to increase knowledge and perception of harm of substance abuse;
2) provide at-risk middle school students with programming to improve life skills and enhance decision-making ability;
3) continue a social marketing campaign to increase parent/caregiver communication about the dangers of substance abuse;
4) lead a community-wide campaign to change society norms on acceptability of underage drinking/providing alcohol to minors;
5) provide opportunities for continuing education on ATOD issues through forums and newsletters; and
6) increase visibility of youth leaders in peer to peer prevention through student-led drama productions in high schools. CA/NCF