Metro Drug Coalition

What Metro Drug Coalition does

Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 in Knoxville, Tennessee, operating substance misuse prevention, overdose prevention, and recovery support programs across Knox County and 17 surrounding East Tennessee counties. Its service portfolio spans primary prevention through the Community Coalition (80+ members across 12 sectors) and Youth Metro Drug Coalition (YMDC); overdose prevention via Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists distributing naloxone and fentanyl test strips; and recovery support anchored by The Gateway Recovery Community Center, Gateway Coffee, CCAR-certified recovery coaching, the Recovery Housing Support Fund, faith-based initiatives, and family support groups. Training programs include Mental Health First Aid, QPR suicide prevention, Psychological First Aid, and SBIRT for healthcare providers, delivered in partnership with organizations such as Quillen College of Medicine and CCAR.

The underlying technology is principally evidence-based prevention and recovery curriculum frameworks (SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework, CCAR Recovery Coach Academy, Mental Health First Aid ALGEE action plan) rather than proprietary software. Operational technology is limited to standard productivity tools: Eventbrite for training registration, Microsoft Forms and Google Forms for applications, and calendar integrations (Google Calendar, Outlook, iCalendar) for event distribution.

MDC is funded primarily through a diversified mix of federal grants (SAMHSA Building Communities of Recovery grant, Drug-Free Communities support grant, SAMHSA Mental Health First Aid grant, CSAP five-year outreach grant), Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services funding, municipal support from the City of Knoxville and Knox County, foundation grants (East Tennessee Foundation, United Way), corporate sponsorships (Cigna, First Horizon), and individual donations ($25-$1,000+ tiers). Earned income includes a $20 SBIRT training fee, $250 commemorative bricks, event sponsorships, and Gateway Coffee proceeds. The organization holds a GuideStar Platinum Seal and Charity Navigator rating, files audited financials, and reports 50+ staff and board members. Customer segments are predominantly community-based (individuals in recovery, families, youth, individuals at risk of overdose) with B2B training relationships to healthcare providers, schools, employers, and Knox County Alcohol Permit holders.

Name

Metro Drug Coalition

Legal name

Metro Drug Coalition

Website

https://metrodrug.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metro Drug Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that delivers substance misuse prevention, overdose prevention, and recovery support services across Knox County and 17 East Tennessee counties through The Gateway Recovery Community Center, Gateway Coffee, community coalitions, and evidence-based training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Substance Misuse Prevention and Recovery Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Substance misuse prevention
• Recovery support services
• Overdose prevention training
• Mental health first aid
• Community coalition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, SAMHSA grants including Drug-Free Communities support grant and Building Communities of Recovery grant. EIN #: 58-1704454.
2. Donations and Contributions: Individual and organizational donations supporting programs including The Gateway, Prevention Work, and Recovery Housing. Donation tiers range from $25 to $1,000+ with recurring donation options available.
3. Gateway Coffee Revenue: Gateway Coffee shop opened April 30, 2024 generates revenue to support The Gateway recovery community center operations. All proceeds support The Gateway.
4. Program Services and Sponsorships: Commemorative bricks ($250 each), event sponsorships, vendor booth fees for conferences and community events, and specialized training program fees for non-county residents.
5. Training Program Fees: SBIRT training with $20 fee including lunch and CME credit. Mental Health First Aid and QPR trainings are free for county residents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Metro Drug Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers substance misuse prevention education, overdose prevention (naloxone training and distribution), recovery support (CCAR-certified recovery coaching, family support, treatment referrals), and mental health/suicide prevention training (Mental Health First Aid, QPR, Psychological First Aid, SBIRT) to individuals, families, schools, healthcare providers, employers, and faith communities across Knox County and 17 surrounding East Tennessee counties. Central to operations is The Gateway Recovery Community Center and its social enterprise Gateway Coffee.

Product overview

Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of substance misuse prevention, overdose prevention, and recovery support programs primarily serving the Knoxville, Tennessee community. The organization's core offerings center around The Gateway Recovery Community Center, which provides peer support, life skills development, and social connection for individuals in recovery, supplemented by Gateway Coffee which provides job training for individuals in recovery. Primary prevention services include the Community Coalition (engaging 80+ community members across 12 sectors), Youth Metro Drug Coalition (YMDC) for high school students, and various training programs including Mental Health First Aid, QPR suicide prevention, Psychological First Aid, and SBIRT for healthcare providers. Overdose prevention services include Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) distributing naloxone and providing education. Recovery support encompasses recovery coaching (CCAR-certified), the Recovery Housing Support Fund providing financial scholarships, treatment referrals via the Tennessee REDLINE, faith-based initiatives, and family support services. The FLOURISH Recovery Workforce Academy provides professional development training for the recovery workforce. Additional programs include medication collection events, the Substance Misuse Task Force, parenting curricula, drug-free workplace training, and the TN ACEs program addressing adverse childhood experiences. The organization also operates fundraising initiatives including commemorative bricks and hosts annual events like International Overdose Awareness Day.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Gateway: A recovery community center providing additional supports and ongoing recovery to those transitioning from addiction treatment back into the community or who are seeking recovery. It is Knoxville's first recovery community center.
• Gateway Coffee
• Youth Metro Drug Coalition (YMDC)
• FLOURISH Recovery Workforce Academy
• TN ACEs

Products and services

• The Gateway Recovery Community Center Knoxville's first recovery community center providing peer-to-peer recovery support, life skills development, social events, and connections between treatment resources and recovery support services for individuals in or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. Open daily with varied programming at 530 W 5th Ave, Knoxville.
• Gateway Coffee Coffee shop at The Gateway (open Mon–Fri 9am–7:30pm) that hires and trains individuals in recovery, building soft skills and resumes while generating proceeds to support The Gateway recovery community center operations. Available for Serenity Room reservations.
• Mental Health First Aid Training 8-hour skills-based training course teaching participants to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders using the ALGEE Action Plan (Assess, Listen, Give, Encourage). Available in adult and youth formats, delivered in-person, virtually, or blended. Free for Knox and surrounding county residents.
• QPR Suicide Prevention Training One-hour Question, Persuade, Refer suicide prevention gatekeeper training teaching warning signs recognition and intervention techniques. Free with certificate provided upon completion.
• Psychological First Aid Training One-hour virtual training on providing psychological first aid during emergencies using the RAPID model, applicable to public health, workplace, and disaster settings.
• SBIRT Training Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment training for healthcare providers (providers, nurse practitioners, nurses, residents, office managers). $20 per attendee including lunch and CME/CNE credit (3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits and 2.83 CNE contact hours). Quarterly in Knox County.
• Recovery Coaching (CCAR Certified) CCAR-certified strength-based recovery coaching providing individual goal setting, action planning, and access to recovery resources for individuals in or seeking recovery. MDC was the first agency in Tennessee to offer this national certification.
• Overdose Prevention / Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) Mobile overdose prevention specialists providing naloxone training, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strip distribution, and overdose prevention education throughout Knox County and the wider East Tennessee region.
• Recovery Housing Support Fund Financial scholarship program providing up to $300 to eligible individuals to cover recovery housing entry fees. Established in 2018, has helped hundreds of individuals enter recovery housing since inception.
• Treatment Referrals Connection services linking individuals to treatment resources including the Tennessee REDLINE 24/7 helpline (1-800-889-9789), Lifeline Peer Project, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) providers, and other regional treatment options.
• Family Support Services Weekly therapist-led family support group, intervention education, and family lecture series for families with loved ones struggling with substance misuse.
• Community Coalition Substance misuse prevention coalition engaging 80+ individuals across 12 community sectors including law enforcement, government, youth organizations, treatment programs, healthcare facilities, faith-based groups, local businesses, schools, parents, and recovery community. Monthly coalition meetings at The Gateway drive collaborative prevention work.
• Youth Metro Drug Coalition (YMDC) Youth-led initiative empowering Knox County high schoolers to advocate for substance misuse prevention and promote mental health awareness through leadership opportunities and public health education.
• TN ACEs Program Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) education and support program providing trauma-informed services for moms, community education on ACEs, and resiliency-building resources across East Tennessee counties.
• FLOURISH Recovery Workforce Academy Free training academy providing professional development for the recovery workforce, including courses in Group Engagement and Documentation in Addiction Treatment. Registrations handled via Eventbrite.
• Drug-Free Workplace Training Employer education program helping Knox County businesses develop drug-free workplace policies, recognize signs of substance abuse, and reduce workers compensation and health insurance costs. TASK alcohol server training offered monthly at Knoxville Police Department.
• Faith-Based Initiatives Certification program helping congregations become Certified Recovery Congregations through the TCARE program and connect individuals with treatment and recovery resources.
• Medication Collection Events Drug take-back program partnering with law enforcement and Kroger for medication disposal events and permanent drop box locations to prevent misuse and environmental harm. Bi-annual take back events in Knox County.
• Substance Misuse Task Force Multidisciplinary stakeholder group combining medical, law enforcement, and treatment leaders with state legislators to address prescription drug abuse through legislative advocacy, including passage of ID and Naloxone bills and contributing to a 25% decrease in MME prescribing in Knox County (2014–2015).
• Born Drug-Free Tennessee Program connecting pregnant women with substance use disorders to evidence-based treatment providers and prenatal care resources across Tennessee.
• International Overdose Awareness Day Event Annual community event at Market Square in Knoxville honoring those lost to overdose and celebrating recovery. Proceeds benefit the Recovery Housing Support Fund.
• Commemorative Bricks Fundraising initiative selling engraved bricks at $250 each, placed in The Gateway patio to honor those in recovery or memorialize those lost to addiction. Engraving options include In Memory, In Honor, In Support of The Gateway, or Custom Text (up to 20 characters per line).
• Epic Memories Prom Program Substance-free prom initiative providing safety tips, after-party ideas, and resources to Knox County high schools to prevent underage drinking during prom season.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% decrease in Milligram Morphine Equivalents (MME) prescribed in Knox County between 2014 and 2015
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• United Way of Greater KnoxvillecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as key partner on MDC's website with logo placement. United Way supports community organizations and health initiatives in the greater Knoxville area.
• Knox County, TennesseecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as partner with logo placement. Provides funding through Knox County grants for community programs and recovery initiatives.
• Knoxville Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for medication collection events and Substance Misuse Task Force. TASK program for server training offered at KPD monthly.
• Prevention Alliance of Tennessee (PAT)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition of anti-drug coalitions working to reduce substance use in Tennessee. MDC participates in coalition network.
• UT Police DepartmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for medication take back events at University of Tennessee campus. Event held annually at Hodges Library.
• KrogersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocation partner for DEA National Medication Take Back events. Kroger store on Kingston Pike serves as collection site.
• Likewise RoasterysupportingTechnology or IntegrationLocal coffee roaster supplying specialty blends exclusively for Gateway Coffee shop. Gateway Blend and Gateway Blend Espresso created for the recovery community center.
• CCAR (Center for Addiction Recovery Training)coreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal leader in quality recovery coach training. MDC offers CCAR Certified Recovery Coach Academy and uses CCAR curriculum for peer recovery training.
• Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint provider of SBIRT training with CME accreditation. Medical education partnership for addiction training programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA): National umbrella organization for community anti-drug coalitions; MDC operates as a member-style coalition of this broader network. Comparable in coalition-building methodology and federal Drug-Free Communities funding orientation.
• Partnership to End Addiction: National nonprofit providing family support, education, and resources for substance use; comparable in family-support and prevention-education programming but at national scale and digital-first delivery versus MDC's local-coalition model.
• Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: MDC's primary state funder and policy counterpart operating TCARE certification; comparable in substance use mission across Tennessee but at state-government scale rather than community-coalition scale.

Direct peers

• Recovery Café Network: National network of recovery community centers using a similar peer-support, life-skills model. Directly comparable to The Gateway Recovery Community Center.
• Faces & Voices of Recovery: National recovery advocacy organization comparable in mission (peer recovery support, recovery community building) and federal grant orientation; broader geographic scope but similar recovery-coaching ecosystem.
• ASAP of Anderson: Anderson County, Tennessee substance abuse prevention coalition directly comparable to MDC; MDC's own Youth Initiatives Coordinator Taylor Bunch previously worked there. Closest peer in service model and geography.

Emerging players

• Lifeline Peer Project: Tennessee peer recovery organization referenced in MDC's resource list; comparable in CCAR-style peer recovery support mission but as a more focused peer-specialist initiative.
• Choice Health Network: Knoxville-based harm reduction and primary care provider referenced in MDC's resource list; comparable in East Tennessee harm-reduction footprint (syringe services, sharps disposal) but emphasizes clinical services more than coalition model.
• Hellbender Harm Reduction: Knoxville-based harm reduction organization referenced in MDC's resource list; comparable in overdose prevention focus but narrower scope (syringe services, harm reduction) versus MDC's full prevention-to-recovery continuum.

Regional players

• Knox County Health Department: Local public health agency serving the same Knox County population as MDC; comparable in overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, and community health focus, but operates as a government agency rather than community coalition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/metrodrug
• Facebookfacebook.com/MetroDrug
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrodrugcoalition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-drug-coalition

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro Drug Coalition