For details about the Campbell United, contact Director Charlsa Honeycutt at 423.907.2908

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Campbell United, Campbell County’s re-established anti-drug coalition, met on Thursday at noon at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jacksboro Campus. Top meeting agenda items included a report from the Department of Health Data Package, along with applying for a Drug Free Community Grant.

TOP PHOTO: The Campbell United anti-drug coalition met on Thursday at TCAT Jacksboro. The coalition is planning an August event in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. Pictured in this file photo is Campbell United Director Charlsa Honeycutt and coalition organizer Trent Coffey.

More than 20 community leaders and invested individuals joined together on Thursday. Introductions were made and the meeting kicked off with TCAT President and Campbell United Coalition President Debbie Petree President shared her “passion for prevention.”

Catherine Brunson with Prevention Alliance shared a report from the Department of Health Data Package, which shows comparisons for the State of TN and Campbell County health issues.

According to Brunson, and Campbell United Director Charlsa Honeycutt, “this can be a valuable resource for all community members writing grants and identifying community needs.”

Brunson also asked if there was interest in having the National Guard’s “Hidden in Plain Site” trailer for parents on the back-to-school nights to educate them about places where substances can easily be hidden.

Campbell United Coalition organizer Trent Coffey provided an overview of the Drug Free Community Grant, which is the largest federal grant that supports prevention coalitions nationwide. Coffey and Brunson discussed the steps that the coalition will be taking over the next year in preparation for applying for the next grant cycle and the “importance of building the drug coalition’s capacity to ensure that all the required sectors of the community are a part of the coalition.”

Brunson also discussed wrapping up the “key informant interviews and identifying other individuals that need to be interviewed to complete the community assessment.” The completion of this community assessment will be an important component for applying for the Drug Free Communities Grant funding.

In other business, the coalition team discussed planning an event for August 31st in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.

Campbell United Director Charlsa Honeycutt said she would check with LaFollette Church of God to house the event.  According to coalition organizers, at the event, there will be testimonies and memorials, as well as TN Save a Life Training and overdose kits with naloxone for distribution.

Campbell United will also participate in the August 6, 2024, National Night Out in LaFollette at Seargent’s Park. The coalition will provide resources and popcorn at the event.

For those interested in more information about the Campbell United anti-drug coalition, you can contact Director Charlsa Honeycutt at 423.907.2908. Meetings are held at TCAT Jacksboro, located at 265 Elkins Road. The next Campbell United meeting is Thursday, August 8th at noon at TCAT/Jacksboro. Organizers encourage community leaders, nonprofits, organizations, and others to join! (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/15/2024-6AM)

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