MDC promotes a safe and healthy prom and graduation

Have you seen our new prom cards yet? Be on the lookout for these in a tuxedo, dress or flower shops all around town! The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among teens about therisks involved with underage drinking, especially during this celebratory time.

Prom-going teens who take our “Make It a Night To Remember” quiz will be entered to win a FREE iPad! Log on with your teen now! This is a great way to start a conversation with your child about the dangers of underage drinking.

Thank you to our wonderful coalition members for their help with this project.

In partnership with the Metropolitan Drug Commission, the Knoxville/Knox County Mayors’ Youth Action Council (YAC) is now accepting applications its 2011-2012 class.   For eight years, Youth Action Council has served as a representative organization for high school students, charged with ensuring that the opinions and concerns of youth are voiced, while also strengthening the sense of community and civic duty among Knox County’s teens. This project is designed to ensure that area teens have input in the policies that affect them and to increase awareness among government representatives and the general public about issues facing youth.     As many as 25 high school students will be chosen for the Youth Action Council. Current high school students (public, private or home schooled) in Knox County are encouraged to apply by April 21. Applicants should be aware of key issues facing youth, as well as possess the desire and creativity to make a change in their community.

Download the application – 2011-2012 Youth Action Council Application Form

East Tennessee regional drug take-back event an overwhelming success

568 pounds of potentially dangerous medications and 168 pounds of recyclable packaging was dropped off in Knox County. Across the East Tennessee region, 1,477 pounds were collected in total. Thanks to everyone who participated in and volunteered for this important cause! A special thanks goes out to all of our media partners who helped make this event the most successful one yet!

Knox County students storm the capitol for the 2011 Legislative Day on the Hill

On February 23, thirty-six elementary, middle and high school students from Knox County convened with youth from across the state for the first inaugural Tennessee PTA Student Legislative Day on the Hill in Nashville.

“I think this was a great opportunity for the students of Knox County to become more civically engaged and learn about how Tennessee government works,” Sarah Harder, project director at the Metropolitan Drug Commission, said. “I hope this trip made the youth more inclined to vote in local, state and federal elections as they approach adulthood.”

Click here to read more.

Reminder: Coalition subcommittees to meet this week

If you’ve never attended a subcommittee meeting before, now’s the time! We hope to see you there!

One in six middle school-aged teens abuse inhalants

Many parents are unaware that their young teen may be using common household items as inhalants. Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce dangerous mind-altering effects. Click here to read the full article, featured in this week’s Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory newsletter.

Super Bowl 2011/Alcohol Marketing to Youth survey results available now!

The results are in from the 2011 Big Bowl Vote! Doritos overwhelmingly stole the show among those under 21 as the most memorable brand, while the Anheuser-Bush brand (which included ads for Bud, Bud Light & Stella Artois) ranked as the second most remembered product. Click here to read the full release.

Think drugged driving isn’t dangerous?

The Doctors explain how drugs affect driving skills. Click here to view the video clip.

Mark Your Calendars: Join us at our next coalition meeting!

The meeting will be held next Tuesday, January 25 at noon in the Knox County Health Department’s Community Room. Make your voice heard and network with other substance abuse prevention advocates. It’s also a great opportunity to join a subcommittee!

Please RSVP to sharder@metrodrug.org. We hope to see you there!

Check out MDC’s latest quarterly eNewsletter!

Our January-March eNewsletter is chock full of new and exciting information related to our organization and its mission. Click here to learn more about what we’ve been up to this winter and discover what we’ve got planned for the beginning of 2011!

If you would like to receive our eNewsletter via email, click the sign up link in the sidebar to register.

One-Third of Fatally Injured Drivers with Known Test Results Tested Positive for at Least One Drug in 2009

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, an estimated one in three deadly crashes in which drug tests are conducted indicate drugs in the driver’s system. That number has increased about five percent in the past five years, with more than 1.4 million people driving while impaired every year. Between 56% and 65% of fatally injured drivers are drug tested each year.

Marijuana was the most prevalent drug found. In fact, approximately 28% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for marijuana.

Let us help you stay in compliance!

We can help you keep alcohol out of the hands of minors and avoid costly fines and possible permit revocation.

The Metropolitan Drug Commission, in partnership with Top Shelf Responsible Beverage Service, is now offering FREE DVD toolkits to help local business educate their employees about proper alcohol serving laws and procedures.

Supplies are limited! Click the flier below to reserve yours today or call (865) 588-5550. Please list your store name and whether you have an on-premise or off-premise permit.

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