Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary and The Retirement of Mrs. Barbara Kannapel

July 22, 2021

On July 15th, 2021, the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition celebrated their 10 year anniversary at the Chamber of Commerce. The Coalition was established in 2011 in response to an increase in underage drug and alcohol consumption in Smith County. It was funded in 2021 by the Tennessee Department of Health and Substance Abuse.

SCDPC has brought almost 2 million in grant funding for prevention and recovery of substance misuse over the last 10 years. They have helped countless individuals, families, and the community as a whole.

In addition to the 10 year celebration, the Coalition celebrated the retirement of Mrs. Barbara Kannapel. Both Terri Lynn Weaver and Mayor Jeff Mason attended and thanked her for her work.

Mrs. Barbra Kannapel was appointed Executive Director of the new formed Coalition in 2010. She helped grow the program from a non-funded coalition to overseeing 6 grants totaling over $315,000 plus annually. She has been instrumental in in the growth of the program.

Mayor Jeff Mason declared May 12th as Youth Prevention Day in honor of Mrs. Kannapel.