West TN counties to form anti-drug coalitions serving teens

Officials in three West Tennessee counties are working to create coalitions to fight drug use among teens. The state Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services awarded grants to Dyer, Lauderdale and Tipton counties that will allow them to form the panels. Professional Care Services Director of Drug Abuse Treatment Services Lisa Kent told the Dyersburg State Gazette that similar coalitions have been in East Tennessee for years, but they are new to West Tennessee. “It is an exciting thing we are working on,” Kent said. “(We are joining with) Lauderdale and Tipton counties to work together to saturate all three counties.”

 Members of the Prevention Alliance of Dyersburg and Dyer County met recently at City Gate Church as they work to form a group there that will target the use of tobacco, alcohol and prescription drug use. “The goal of this coalition is to make a difference,” said P.A.D.D. Interim Coordinator Nora Ammons. “City Gate Church stepped up as the fiscal agent of the grant. We were encouraged and felt strongly that if this (coalition) is going to make a dent in this problem that it is going to take faith-based organizations and a large cross-section of the community.”

 Mission developed The group has already developed it mission and vision and are reaching out to find organizations and individuals who want to get involved. P.A.D.D.’s vision is to “serve as the cornerstone of building a healthy and safe environment that encourages and promotes the abstinence of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs so our youth grow up to be productive members of society and future advocates of prevention.” “Our law enforcement and county and city government are absolutely essential for this coalition,” said Ammons.

 Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said members are currently reaching out to community leaders, parents, businesses, faith-based and civic organizations. “Our law enforcement agencies are working close together in any way we can in this community,” said Box. “But it is going to take the community.”