Is there a difference between free something From something or free something OF something?
These exercises help [free] the body [of] tension.

The police are determined to [free] the town [of] violent crime.

The centre aims to [free] young people [from] dependency on drugs.

Is there a difference between free something From something or free something OF something?

source :http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/free_2

Question

Is there a difference between free something From something or free something OF something?
These exercises help [free] the body [of] tension.

The police are determined to [free] the town [of] violent crime.

The centre aims to [free] young people [from] dependency on drugs.

Is there a difference between free something From something or free something OF something?

source :http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/free_2

Answer

There's no obvious big general difference. You may find this interesting : http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/112467/free-of-vs-free-from.

Answer

I don't know. As USA native, the examples you provided are accurate.

The preposition of/from may not be strict in all cases.
You definitely say "free from dependency on drugs"
You could probably say free the town of violent crime or free the town from violent crime