Vernon Cops, UFC Stars Tout Community And 'Connection Beats Addiction'

VERNON, CT — Two strong messages were delivered at Vernon's National Night Out celebration Tuesday — the police are committed to the community and the town is committed to beat addition through connection.

Oh and there were free hots dogs, chips and displays from the fire department, just about every town service organization and even the Tolland County State's Attorney's Office.

National Night Out was created as a chance for local police departments to interact with the citizenry on a summer evening and that's exactly what happened. It was Chief Marc Petruzzi's first event at the helm in Vernon. Canine Franco was posing for photos and officers were mingling and even serving up some food.

National Night Out 2024 also served as a springboard for Vernon's "Connection Beats Addiction" anti-opioid campaign. The initiative, which focuses on treatment, intervention, helping families affected by opioids, drug take back events, harm reduction, developing positive connections and working with the Vernon Public Schools, is supported by funds distributed to municipalities from opioid litigation.

On hand to kick off the event were two stars of mixed martial arts — former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira and current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Both are natives of Brazil who now live in the Danbury area and train out of Teixiera's gym in Bethel.

"Addiction is not good, and not just with drugs — even with food and training," Teixiera said. "What you need to do is leave the bad stuff behind you."

Pereira said that's exactly what he did when it came to alcohol use.

He told the crowd is his native Portuguese with Teixiera serving as translator that, at the age of 12, he took to alcohol amid a rough and tumble upbringing in Brazil.

"At age 22, I started martial arts," he said. "I then focused on leaving alcohol."

Pereira continued, "I never imagined I would be a world champion, but I started changing my life. I was alone when I was young, but now, like here, there is action to help people. My results as a fighter have improved, but I also have been 10 years without touching alcohol."

Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said the program is necessary.

"Opioid addiction destroys lives. it destroys families and it destroys communities," he said. "In Vernon, we're taking a stand and confronting this issue heads-on."

Here are some scenes from Vernon National Night Out 2024: