Drug-Free Tennessee Educating Youth and Neighbors at National Night Out Against Crime

Drug-Free Tennessee participates each year in National Night Out Against Crime by distributing the Truth About Drugs booklets to neighbors.

In the last month alone, there have been over two hundred crimes reported by the Nashville police department just in the Edgehill neighborhood. In response, the Drug-Free Tennessee joined community partners, neighbors and police for National Night Out Against Crime to put an end to rampant crime and drug violations.

Night Out Against Crime is meant to stop crime before it starts. It was designed to heighten 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.

This year marks the 33rd annual event held to combat drug use and prevent crime.  This is the 8th year that Drug-Free Tennessee has participated in the Nashville festivities. Neighborhoods frequently celebrate with a mix of food, dancing, information booths and crime forums to help promote safer living. And this year was no different.

Gathering in the community room at Gernert Studio apartments, several policemen, pastors and government men met with Edgehill residents to talk positive strategies that will bring about change for the neighborhood. Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee, was among those who presented materials and solutions for community members, and chapter volunteers distributed information to attendees.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which provides booklets with information on how drugs affect the body and mind, what a dealer might say, and common street names to young people know how to avoid them. The materials are available free of charge, and can be obtained through drugfreeworld.org.

For more information on National Night Out, visit natw.org.  For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee or to order materials, visit drugfreetn.org.