Real people. Real help. Real hope.
Rescue 180 is a faith-based, grant-funded organization. We help people and families find detox, treatment, housing, reentry support and the everyday basics that make recovery possible. You are not alone.
2025–2026 Non-Profit of the Year
Breaking chains, building futures, rooted in faith. Serving Jefferson County and East Tennessee since 1998.
Your voice of positive force, changing our community one day at a time, pushing prevention to the top.
Breaking chains, building futures, rooted in faith.
Help at nearly every point of the journey.
Prevention, intervention, recovery, reentry and family support, working alongside law enforcement, the courts, first responders, schools and churches to reduce overdose, recidivism and stigma.
Recovery & Reentry
For people in active addiction and people coming home from jail. We meet you where you are and help with every step after.
- 24/7 crisis line
- Peer recovery specialist on call
- Crisis and resource center
- Detox placement
- Inpatient, outpatient and IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)
- Rehab, transitional or sober house placement
- MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) vouchers for continuum of care
- Drug testing
- Relapse prevention
- Connection to mental health treatment
- Accountability and 12-step programs
- Peer and spiritual support
- Legal aid resources
- Financial counseling
- Employment assistance
- Resources for court-mandated classes: DUI, anger management, parenting classes and IOP
- Spiritual guidance upon request
Prevention
Stopping substance misuse before it starts, and keeping a life-saving tool in as many hands as possible.
- Prevention education in schools, churches and the community
- Narcan distribution and training for law enforcement, the courts, first responders, churches and other organizations
- Prescription drug take-back events
- Medication lock boxes for safe storage at home
- Prescription drug depositories at all law enforcement offices
- Working with local, state and federal legislators on access to substances that affect our youth
Children & Families
Making sure children affected by addiction know they are seen, supported and not facing a crisis alone.
- Drug Endangered Children Program with the TBI
- Handle With Care
- Lambi Learns About Addiction
- Timbi Talks Addiction
- School counselor and SRO collaboration
- Emergency comfort kits for children in crisis
- Clothing and hygiene essentials
- Support for foster placements
- Family intervention and education for parents
Everyday Needs
Recovery is hard without an ID, a phone or a meal. We help you get the basics back in place.
- Birth certificate application or replacement
- Social Security card replacement
- Driver's license replacement or reinstatement
- Health insurance for those who qualify
- SNAP and Families First
- Cellphone
- Medical, dental and vision appointments
- Immediate food and clothing
- GED and HiSET
Think someone is overdosing? Act fast.
Signs: won't wake up or respond, slow or no breathing, blue or gray lips and fingertips, pinpoint pupils, gurgling or snoring sounds.
Get free Narcan training →- Call 911Say the person isn't breathing or won't wake up.
- Give NarcanSpray one dose into one nostril. If there's no response in 2 to 3 minutes, give a second dose.
- Help them breatheLay them on their side so they don't choke. Give rescue breaths if you're trained.
- Stay with themNarcan can wear off before the drugs do. Stay until help arrives.
From one jail ministry to a county-wide coalition.
Rescue 180 was the vision of Rev. Debra Shultz, Founder, Executive Director, CEO and BCPS. For nearly three decades she has stood in the gap for people and families affected by addiction, from jail ministry to prevention, recovery, reentry and crisis intervention.
Debra credits the growth of the ministry to the hard work of her staff and community stakeholders, and ultimately to God for opening the doors to serve.
No life is beyond redemption, and no story has to end where addiction tried to leave it.
- 1998
A jail ministry begins
Debra starts serving incarcerated women as a volunteer chaplain in the Jefferson and Grainger County jails.
- 2008
The coalition forms
An alliance with the Jefferson County community holds its first meeting at the Dandridge Police Department.
- 2011
First block grant
Funding from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
- 2014
Rescue 180, Inc. is founded
The organization becomes a federally recognized 501(c)(3). Judge Duane Slone appoints Debra to the board of Fourth Judicial Recovery Services.
- 2026
Non-Profit of the Year
In March, Rescue 180 is named Jefferson County's 2025–2026 Non-Profit of the Year.
The people who answer the call.
Peer recovery specialists, prevention educators, navigators and advocates. Many of them know the road to recovery firsthand.
Start with what you need.
You don't need to know the name of an organization. Type what you're looking for in your own words and we'll show you who can help.
All resources
Need help, or know someone who does?
Tell us a little and someone from Rescue 180 will reach out. No judgment, and what you share stays with our team. If it's urgent, call the 24/7 line now.
Fill out a short form and the Rescue 180 team will reach out. No judgment, and what you share stays with our team.
Open the referral form →Thank you, .
On the live site, this goes straight to the Rescue 180 team and someone will call . In this preview nothing is sent.
Common questions.
Don't see yours? Call (865) 350-2914 or email rescue180@yahoo.com.
What happens when I call the crisis line?
A real person from Rescue 180 answers, any time of day or night. A peer recovery specialist is on call, and we'll talk through what's going on and what to do next, whether that's detox, a safe place to stay, or someone to talk to.
Can I get help for someone else?
Yes. Many people first reach out for a son, daughter, spouse or friend. Use the referral form or call (865) 350-2914, and we'll help you figure out the next step together.
I'm leaving jail. Can Rescue 180 help?
Yes. Our reentry program helps with treatment and housing placement, peer support, court-mandated classes, employment, and replacing your ID, Social Security card and birth certificate.
Do I have to be religious to get help?
No. Rescue 180 is faith-based, and spiritual guidance is there for anyone who asks for it. Everyone is welcome.
How can I get Narcan?
We provide Narcan and training to law enforcement, first responders, churches, schools, businesses and community groups. Request a training, or stop by the resource center.
Where are you, and when are you open?
The Crisis & Resource Center is at 104 West Old Andrew Johnson Highway in Jefferson City, in the Old Franklin store in Mossy Creek. It's open Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM. The crisis line is answered 24/7.
Walk in. We'll walk with you.
- Address
- 104 West Old Andrew Johnson Highway
Jefferson City, TN 37760In the Old Franklin store, Mossy Creek - Center Hours
- Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PMClosed Saturday and Sunday. The crisis line is answered 24/7.
- 24/7 Crisis Line
- (865) 350-2914
- rescue180@yahoo.com
We also work with partners across Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Behind the Scenes of Rescue 180
Honest conversations about prevention, intervention and recovery. Real stories, expert insight and resources for lasting change, one conversation at a time.
Rescue 180 in the community.
Local coverage of the work over the years.
Jefferson County recovery program aims to end stigma of life after addiction
Rescue 180 received a $125,000 Drug Free Communities grant to expand prevention education, counseling and recovery advocacy.
Read the story ↗ The Jefferson County Post · Sept. 2023Rescue 180 honors first responders in mission to save lives
On Overdose Awareness Day, Rescue 180 recognized law enforcement partners. The coalition supplies Narcan to every county law enforcement agency at no cost.
Read the story ↗ WATE 6 On Your SideNew addiction recovery facility to open this spring in Jefferson County
Coverage of a new recovery facility coming to Jefferson County.
Read the story ↗Community Partners
- Jefferson County School System
- Jefferson County Health Department
- UT Extension
- Boys & Girls Club
- Helen Ross McNabb Center
- WestCare
- Allied Behavioral Health
- All local law enforcement agencies
Funding Sources
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- TN Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council
- Jefferson County Opioid Abatement Council
- East Tennessee Foundation, Jefferson Health Care
State & National Affiliations
- CADCA, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
- CHASCo, Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities
- Tennessee National Guard
- Prevention Alliance of Tennessee
Change happens together.
Give an hour, lend your organization's reach, or bring prevention training to your group. Every turn counts.
Volunteer
Help at outreach events, take-back days, prevention programs and the resource center.
Sign up to volunteer →Partner
Churches, schools, businesses and agencies help make recovery possible here.
Become a partner →Get Trained
Learn to use Narcan, or book prevention education for your school, church or group.
Request a training →