Metro Drug Coalition

09/02/2026

Metro Drug Coalition brought families, recovery organizations and community resources together at Market Square for International Overdose Awareness Day.

08/28/2026

Join us at Market Square on Monday, August 31st for International Overdose Awareness Day!

What to Expect:
3:00 pm – Honor Guard and Opening Statements
3:30 pm – Live music from Tess Henry
4:30 pm – Live music from the Chillbillies
5:30 pm – Live music from Leanna Firestone

Made to Order T-shirts, Activities, Games, Vendors, Resources, & More

Tess Henry
Chillbillies
Leanna Firestone

Sage Recovery LLC
Wayspring
Cedar Recovery
UT Medical
WBIR Channel 10
Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences

08/24/2026

Wayspring's involvement as a sponsor of MDC’s International Overdose Awareness Day is rooted in the simple fact that overdose prevention plays a powerful role in saving lives.

“Overdose impacts the individuals, families, and communities we serve every day,” the organization stated. “Every overdose prevented represents a life preserved, an opportunity for recovery, and a family kept whole.”

Wayspring strives to be the glue that keep Knoxville’s neighbors, daughters, sons, parents, coworkers, and friends alike together to tackle overdose.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is an important opportunity to bring communities together around hope, education, and action. Together, we can save lives and help more individuals find a path forward.”

08/22/2026

Overdose symptoms can look different depending on the on substance(s) taken. If you suspect someone may be overdosing, call 911 and administer naloxone.

Join us August 31st for International Overdose Awareness Day! This year's event will feature a resource fair, live music, activities for all ages, and more!

Event Details
📅 Monday, August 31st, 2026
📍 Market Square in Knoxville, TN
⏰ 3:00 - 7:00pm

08/20/2026

The Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR) is honored to be a sponsor for Metro Drug Coalition’s International Overdose Awareness Day.

TN-ARR works throughout the state to support a network of safe housing options for those seeking long-term recovery from substance-use disorder.

“Preventing overdose matters deeply to us because every life is precious and every person deserves compassion, dignity, and hope,” the organization stated.

“Overdose is preventable, and recovery is possible. By sharing lifesaving information, expanding access to resources, and replacing stigma with understanding, we can help more people find the support they need.”

08/18/2026

UT Medical, a sponsor of Metro Drug Coalition’s International Overdose Awareness Day, is working to support substance use disorder recovery in East Tennessee.

“Helping all people through chronic diseases is important to us as other conditions,” said Dr. Julia van Zyl with UT Medical. “Substance use disorder is something that affects probably everybody.” It may not be you, but perhaps a family member or a loved one you know has suffered from substance use disorder.

Through UT Medical’s Bridge+ program, the organization has learned that social factors like economic stability, access to healthcare, and safe housing impact someone’s likelihood of staying in recovery once they enter.

“Our Bridge+ program has expanded to include closing those social needs gaps as we find them, housing, food, transportation, financial ability to get a job,” van Zyl explained.

Efforts like Bridge+ are a powerful step in the right direction, but the battle of preventing deaths by overdose is far from over.

“We’re still not at zero yet, so we’re taking the stance of fighting to zero.” van Zyl concluded.

08/15/2026

Save the date and spread the word!

Thrive Fest is a free event for all children and their caretakers. Find fun for kids and resources for adults to help build a healthy childhood.

At Thrive Fest, you can expect:
- Inflatable Obstacle Course
- Axe Throwing
- Face-Painting
- Presentations and helpful resources for parents
- MDC’s Pathfinder & more

Details:
📅 September 24th, 2026
📍Safety City, Knoxville
⏰ 3:30-6:30 PM

08/14/2026

Metro Drug Coalition is proud to be a part of this meaningful and impactful project.

AMR - East Tennessee

By building trust and connecting unhoused residents with existing community resources, a multidisciplinary AMR outreach program reports a 32% reduction in traditional EMS call volume

08/12/2026

We’re proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Webster Bailey, on being named to VIP Knoxville’s 50 Under 50 list!

This recognition honors individuals across our community who demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedication, and a commitment to creating positive change. Webster’s vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to MDC’s mission continue to make a meaningful impact throughout Knoxville.

Congrats, Webster!

VIP Knoxville Magazine

08/11/2026

For Paul Trivette at Cedar Recovery, International Overdose Awareness Day speaks true to the organization’s mission: prevent overdose and repair communities affected by it.

“We want to be a part of the support in the system that is helping to honor those lives, to bring memory to those lives, support their family and friends, and to prevent future overdoses.” Trivette said.

International Overdose Awareness Day is also his reminder that lives lost to overdose aren’t just metrics on a screen. They were real people with a real impact.

“My father died of a drug overdose in 2010. He battled addiction my whole life. He’s more than a number, more than a statistic. He was a father, a husband, a brother, and a friend.”

Cedar Recovery is proud to stand as a sponsor of Metro Drug Coalition’s International Overdose Awareness Day.