Annual event held at UT Martin

MARTIN-Local students joined 500 youth leaders from across the state at the Tennessee Teen Institute held here recently on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin

The Clay County SADD chapter from Clay County High School participated in the five-day youth leadership and prevention camp sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA).

This year marked the 38th Anniversary of the Teen Institute Program in Tennessee, which addresses teen issues such as bullying, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, distracted driving, teen health, and substance abuse prevention through a five-day, peer-led prevention camp designed to provide teen participants with the skills and education necessary to develop and implement alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in their own communities.

This is a comprehensive program that trains, mobilizes, and empowers youth to prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and self destructive behaviors in themselves and their peers.

TTI prepares students to not only make positive changes, but to be proud advocates of those changes.  Students have the opportunity to grow and learn as individuals, while enhancing their leadership abilities. 

Because TTI is peer-led, teens are given a unique opportunity to have a “voice” in addressing issues important to them. Giving youth some ownership in this type of program is one of the key factors in the success of enforcing a substance free lifestyle.

Held June 22-27, TTI 2025 hosted approximately 500 teen leaders, adult team advisors, and TTI staff.  These participants leave motivated not only to make healthy decisions in their own lives, but also committed to work so that others are making healthy decisions in their communities as well.

TTI’s mission statement is “To empower Tennessee’s youth to lead by example and take an active role in bringing about positive changes by giving them the skills, knowledge, and support they need make healthy choices, build positive relationships and live substance free lives.”

The Tennessee Teen Institute is funded in part by grants from TN Department of Health, TN Department of Mental Health Division of Substance Abuse Services, TN Highway Safety Office, and State Farm.

JACOA is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the State of Tennessee and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information about the Tennessee Teen Institute, visit www.tnteeninstitute.net or contact us at [email protected].

Those interested in attending TTI next year, June 7-12, 2026, can contact Daniel Roberts at 931-243-3334.