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Memphis Organizations Turn Drug-Free Coalition Meeting Into Action, Commit to Three Community Prevention Strategies
21 participants representing schools, businesses, faith and community organizations, parents and youth commit to carrying prevention beyond the meeting room
September 29, 2026, Shelby County Observer Community Affairs Staff
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Youth Drug Free Coalition moved its prevention campaign from planning to community action Saturday as 21 participants representing a cross-section of the Memphis community gathered in person and virtually and committed to carrying drug-free messages and practices into the places where young people live, learn, worship, play and prepare for their futures.
The September 26 meeting, organized by Daughters of Zion and the Memphis Youth Drug Free Coalition, included representatives connected with Daughters of Zion, Kirby Middle School, Hickory Ridge Middle School, 5 Senses Learning, Beauty Is IN YOU, Win-istry, Dream Big, businesses and other community organizations, along with parent, youth and coaching representation.
Hickory Ridge Middle School Head Football Coach Joshua Booker addresses attendees as six of his student-athlete ambassadors visit the food table during Saturday’s coalition meeting.
But organizers emphasized that Saturday’s accomplishment wasn’t simply 21 people attending a meeting.
It was 21 community participants being mobilized around action.
Participants focused on three practical commitments designed to continue after the meeting:
- Adopt and publicly display the coalition’s prevention poster. Participating organizations committed to displaying the “NIL Protect Your Name. Protect Your Image. Protect Your Likeness. Protect Your Future.” campaign poster, helping transform prevention messaging from a one-time presentation into an ongoing presence in community locations.
- Become Memphis Youth Drug Free Coalition Community Partners. Partners committed to helping make prevention information available, sharing coalition messages—including the digital campaign flyer—through their networks, and participating in coalition activities.
- Adopt a Written Youth Drug-Free Standard. Participating organizations committed to adopting the coalition’s model standard: “Our organization is committed to maintaining an environment that discourages youth alcohol, tobacco/vaping, marijuana and prescription-drug misuse and promotes healthy, drug-free choices.” This moves the effort beyond awareness by encouraging organizations to establish an ongoing prevention expectation.
From 21 Participants to a Growing Community Network
The coalition’s strategy is designed so that the impact of one meeting can multiply.
One participant can represent an organization. One organization can reach dozens—or hundreds—of people. One poster can remain visible for months. One social-media message can be shared throughout an organization’s network. And one written Youth Drug-Free Standard can establish an expectation that continues long after Saturday’s meeting ended.
That is the environmental-change approach the Memphis Youth Drug Free Coalition is seeking to build: not simply counting who attended, but documenting what participating organizations agree to change, display, adopt and share.
The coalition meets on the last Saturday of each month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Jesus People Church / The Event Center of Memphis 4400 Hickory Hill Road in Memphis, with a complimentary lunch, networking, partnership development, team-building activities and more.
For information, prevention resources, the community poster or information about bringing the NIL pledge to a school, team or organization, call:
901-260-9933 (tel:901-260-9933)
Take the Pledge. Become a Partner. Display the Message. Adopt the Standard.
Protect Your Name. Protect Your Image. Protect Your Likeness. Protect Your Future.
#DrugFreeCommunities #MemphisYouthDrugFreeCoalition #NILDrugFreePledge
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