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This National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW), Northeast Tennessee drug prevention coalitions and their partners are teaming up with the Army National Guard for a week full of events for parents and kids alike. Parents and community members in Northeast Tennessee have an opportunity to learn more about ways their teens and tweens may be hiding drugs, alcohol or tobacco products by visiting the “Stashed Away” display. This trailer is set up to mimic a teenager’s bedroom and contains examples of places where kids may “stash” drug paraphernalia. The display will be available for visits at a variety of places throughout the region and most locations will also have additional activities for kids available while parents visit the display. No registration is required and community members can visit any location at any of the posted hours.

“Stashed Away” will be available as follows:

March 20, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, 201 N Sycamore St., Elizabethton
Community resources, inflatables and a National Alcohol & Drugs Facts Week Scavenger Hunt for kids provided by Carter County Drug Prevention will also be available.

March 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Carver Recreation Center
322 W. Watauga Ave., Johnson City
A parent resource fair including community resources, activities for kids and free snacks provided by Insight Alliance will also be available.

March 21, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Dobyns-Bennett High School, 1 Tribe Way, Kingsport
Food Trucks, resources and more, sponsored by Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition, will also be available.

March 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
YMCA-400 M.L.K Jr. Blvd., Bristol
Food Trucks, resources and more, sponsored by Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition, will also be available.

March 22, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Love Chapel Elementary, 600 Mohawk Drive, Erwin
Provided by Unicoi County Prevention Coalition.

March 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Johnson County Health Department, 715 West Main St., Mountain City
Provided by Johnson County Health Department.

NDAFW is an annual, week-long health observance that raises awareness about the issue of youth substance use and inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. NDAFW provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction.

Now is a very important time for kids and parents to be aware of potential substance use issues. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports, “The percentage of adolescents reporting substance use in 2022 largely held steady after significantly declining in 2021, according to the latest results from the Monitoring the Future survey of substance use behaviors and related attitudes among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders in the United States. Reported use for almost all substances decreased dramatically from 2020 to 2021 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes like school closures and social distancing. In 2022, reported use of any illicit drug within the past year remained at or significantly below pre-pandemic levels for all grades, with 11% of eighth graders, 21.5% of 10th graders, and 32.6% of 12th graders reporting any illicit drug use in the past year.”