Drug-Free South Educates Over 15,000 Students in Tennessee

Nashville, TN, May 16, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The Truth About Drugs program was launched in Nashville in 2009 under the name “Drug-Free South,” with children pledging to be drug-free throughout their lives. This program has turned into a movement with educational seminars in 76 schools and organizations in 29 Tennessee counties, and, as of this week, reaching over 15,000 students.

The seminars began when Anne Vallieres decided she couldn’t live with drugs in her own community. “I live in Woodbury which is a relatively small community, and I was shocked to learn how much drugs are used here – not just marijuana, but cocaine and meth are used.”

Vallieres visited the women’s prison in her town and spoke to the women to learn how they became involved in the drug trap. “One for one each woman told me that if they had known what drugs would really do to them, they would never have taken them. Dealers trick them with lies.”

This sparked Vallieres’ decision to commit herself to ensuring that every student and school-age child receive the truth before dealers get to them. She, along with her husband Marc, travel across Tennessee delivering lectures on the program and are excited to have now seen more than 15,000 students.

Vallieres is optimistic in their approach, “We give the students good information and they come to me afterward and tell me they have decided not to take drugs. I feel that if we reach the students, there will be hope for Tennessee.”

The drug education seminars which Anne and Marc give are based on a curriculum supplied by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. It is centered on the “Truth About Drugs” booklet which details short- and long-term effects of drugs, common street names and myths that a drug dealer might use to make a sale. The seminars include a video documentary of former drug users talking about their own experience with drugs, which is a powerful tool when kids hear real-life examples of what drugs can do to a person.

The Vallieres are happy to visit any school, club or group to give a lecture on the truth about drugs. For more information, visit the website drugfreesouth.org.