TN HJR0749

Tennessee General Assembly commits to reversing alcohol and drug addiction rates that have grown over the past 70 years in the state

Recommends implementing long-term, evidence-based drug prevention, life skills training, and violence prevention programs into required school curricula from kindergarten through graduation

Cites Tennessee Together Student Survey (2022-2023) data: 1 in 15 students misused prescription drugs, 29.8% vaped nicotine, 1 in 3 reported drinking alcohol, with average initiation ages of 13-14 years

Notes 1,138,000 Tennesseans over age 12 needed substance use treatment in 2022-2023, but only 318,000 received it

Copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Tennessee Department of Education commissioner and State Board of Education executive director