Drug-Free Tennessee Helps Youth in Ripley Tackle the Truth About Drugs

Nashville, TN, 18th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, This past weekend, youth attending a local football camp in Ripley got more than just practice on the field—they received life-changing information that could help them avoid dangerous pitfalls in the future. Volunteers from Drug-Free Tennessee were on hand to educate young athletes about the realities of substance abuse, delivering powerful prevention materials from the Truth About Drugs program.

Each participant at the camp received a full set of educational booklets detailing the harmful effects of various commonly abused substances—from marijuana and alcohol to fentanyl and prescription drugs. The booklets are part of a nationwide campaign to empower young people with factual, engaging, and age-appropriate information so they can make informed choices and resist peer pressure.

“The goal is to reach kids before the dealers do,” said Julie Brinker, Ambassador for Drug-Free Tennessee. “By giving them the facts in a way that’s easy to understand, they’re more likely to say no when someone offers them something dangerous.”

At the close of the event, each youth took a personal pledge to live a drug-free life, signing a poster to mark their commitment. The pledge served not only as a reminder of the day’s lessons but as a promise to themselves, their families, and their teammates to stay healthy and focused on a brighter future.

Drug-Free Tennessee works year-round to bring drug education and prevention to communities across the state through school programs, community events, and partnerships with youth groups. The group utilizes the Truth About Drugs program developed by Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a nonprofit organization that has distributed millions of booklets globally.

For more information or to request materials or a presentation, visit www.drugfreetn.org.