TN SJR0619

Resolution recognizes Tennessee's substance abuse crisis and recommends implementing long-term, evidence-based drug prevention, life skills training, and violence prevention programs into required school curricula from kindergarten through graduation

Tennessee Together Student Survey (2022-2023) found 1 in 15 students misused prescription drugs, 29.8% vaped nicotine, 13% vaped marijuana, and approximately 1 in 3 students reported drinking alcohol

Average age of initiation for vaping is 13.8 years and for alcohol is 13.4 years; 74% of substance abuse begins by age 17, with 10% beginning by age 11

In 2022-2023, 1,138,000 Tennesseans over age 12 needed substance use treatment, but only 318,000 received it (including 31,000 youth ages 12-17)

Copies of the resolution to be transmitted to the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education and the Executive Director of the State Board of Education