Contact Power of Putnam
P.O. Box 49371
Cookeville, TN 38506
www.powerofputnam.org

What is Power of Putnam?
Power of Putnam (POP) is a coalition of educators and other community leaders who are concerned about the issue of substance abuse in Putnam County. POP seeks to unite the community in the development and implementation of strategies to prevent and lessen the progression of substance abuse, particularly underage drinking. We seek to support the efforts of other community agencies and fill the gap in services to address the problem. We are happy that you considering joining with us to protect our children from the dangers of alcohol. See below to read more about what you can do to prevent underage drinking.

Where Does Power of Putnam Get Its Funding?
POP is a member of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions across Tennessee. Its primary support is by a grant from CADCA .

Did You KNOW™…*

• 74 percent of students have used alcohol by the time they graduate high school.
• 30 percent of 12th graders have tried alcohol before age 15.
• 22 percent of high school students drink alcohol once a month.
• Alcohol-related teen deaths are higher in Putnam County than in Tennessee — 9.7 per 100,000 teens in Putnam County versus 9.3 per 100,000 teens in Tennessee.

In fact, only 51 percent of high school students in Putnam County believe it is "very wrong" to drink. That is the same percentage who also believe it is "very wrong" to skip school; thus they equate underage drinking with skipping school.
* Based on a 2007 survey of Putnam County High School students. Visit http://www.powerofputnam.org for more survey results.

Here's What Power of Putnam Is Doing.
Power of Putnam is involved in a comprehensive promotional campaign to enlist students in the understanding that it is cool to avoid the use of alcohol and other destructive drugs. The KNOWPower™ campaign invites students to "Join Club KNOW™" and Be a "KNOWBody™" — a member of a select group of teens who have made a conscious, educated choice not to drink or use drugs. Upon joining KNOWPower™ students are given the power to say, "No" to substance abuse.

Here’s What You Can Do.
We can't do it alone. Underage drinking and drug abuse by even one of our youth is too high a price to pay to ignore the problem. Consider the following ways you can help.

• Ask your child's school or church group to promote the Power of Putnam program.
• Offer to get the materials they will need though POP and assist in presenting the program.
• Host a "Be a KNOWBody™" party for neighborhood youth to enlist them in the program.
• Donate your time and money to Power of Putnam to help promote the campaign in our community.

Our Vision
A community that is united and empowered in its efforts to support the development of emotionally, socially and economically healthy individuals and families.

Our Mission
To unite the diverse elements of Putnam County in a unified effort to empower individuals, strengthen families and build character and resiliency in its children and youth.

Our Purpose

• To prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse, including under-age drinking, in Putnam County.
• To reduce substance-related problems in Putnam County.
• To build an infrastructure for prevention activities and the capacity for building personal assets in children and youth at the community level.