Who is KSAAT?
The Knox Substance Abuse Action Team (KSAAT) is comprised of several different committees, all uniting with the common goal to help those either at risk or already involved in substance abuse. But who are these people? They're concerned parents, community leaders, teens, businessmen and women, law enforcement, and local media...
They're anyone and everyone concerned about the impact substance abuse has on our community. Think that could be you? Want to know more about how to get involved? Check out our Contact page!
They're anyone and everyone concerned about the impact substance abuse has on our community. Think that could be you? Want to know more about how to get involved? Check out our Contact page!
Why KSAAT?
KSAAT formed in 2011 in response to community concerns about substance abuse, specifically prescription painkiller and opiate abuse. Substance abuse has devastating effects on residents, families, and ultimately the community as a whole. It can be directly linked to crime, illiteracy, suicides, low employment rates, child abuse, and poverty.
KSAAT has focused on increasing overall community awareness about substance abuse and its related problems. It has sponsored several community educational forums including training for healthcare workers, two Street Smart presentations for professionals and parents, and coordination of a community-wide media campaign in Spring 2014.
KSAAT has focused on increasing overall community awareness about substance abuse and its related problems. It has sponsored several community educational forums including training for healthcare workers, two Street Smart presentations for professionals and parents, and coordination of a community-wide media campaign in Spring 2014.
Current KSAAT Initiatives
And Future Development
KSAAT is always developing long-term goals as well as activities and interventions that will move us toward those goals. These plans are developed by our committees. We were able to submit a federal Drug Free Communities Support Program grant proposal in Spring 2015 and we were awarded the grant in September 2015. The goal of this grant is to reduce substance abuse, with a focus on youth.
The implementation of this grant will involve the following processes and activities:
- Asses substance abuse issues (needs) based on data
- Build coalition capacity to impact our local problems (widespread community participation and effective structures and decision making processes)
- Implement effective prevention programs, policies and practices based on the strategic plan
- Evaluate the efforts for outcomes
KSAAT Structure
