Fast Facts for Educators
Our local data comes from the Communities that Care Survey administered in Spartanburg every even year. If your school has not participated in past years they are still eligible for the next cycle (2022). Below are some of our local numbers from Spring 2020.
Substance Use:
- Among the students who report every drinking alcohol, 45% of them first tried alcohol at just 12 years of age or younger
- One in five Spartanburg juniors (11th grade) report having tried marijuana
- 25% of Spartanburg high school students report vaping before
Beliefs and Attitudes:
- More than half of teens think that there is little or no risk with regularly using marijuana OR vaping
- More than half of teens said it would be somewhat or very easy for them to access alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, or marijuana
- One in four report that it would be somewhat or very easy for them to access prescription pain medication (e.g., OxyContin, Vicodin) not prescribed to them
Risky Behaviors:
- Of the high school students who have tried alcohol at any point in their lifetime, 7% report driving drunk in the past month
- 1 in 10 high school students rode with a drunk driver during the past month
- Among the high school students who report regular marijuana use, 40% report driving under the influence in the past month
- Among high school students with a history of alcohol use, 20% report being drunk or high at school during the past year
Educator Resources
- Vaping: The Stanford Toolkit has free powerpoint units on vaping along with fact sheets and other resources
- Adverse Childhood Experiences: ACEs impact all facets of our health and well-being. To learn more about ACEs, connect with the local experts at the Child Protection Training Center right here in Spartanburg
- Domestic and Sexual Violence: Learn more about the resources available for individuals and families in Spartanburg. Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition also provides age-appropriate presentations for groups of all ages.
- Resource Database: From learning about teen-friendly services to making a confidential referral, CONNECT Spartanburg is a hub for partners dedicated to serving teens
- If you’re looking for handouts to use in class, check out these:
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40 Developmental Assets for Teens >
The Search Institute has identified the following building blocks of health development—known as Developmental Assets—that help young people grow up health, caring and responsible. -
Impact of Alcohol Nationally >
This is a one-page handout with statistics on alcohol use, misuse, and abuse on a national level. -
Marijuana Legalization – Teen Impact >
Did you know that recent and lifetime use rates are higher in legalized state than non-legalized states? Here is a one-page handout with data coming from Smart Approaches to Marijuana -
E-Cigarettes – Vaping 101 >
This is a colorful one-page handout suitable for both teens and adults. If you are using it with teens, it can be a great conversation starter about whether they feel local trends mirror national data. -
Driving High – Marijuana >
A concerning new trend is on the rise, driving under the influence of marijuana. Many teens, and even adults, mistakenly believe it is safer than driving under the influence of alcohol. Get the facts. -
Distracted Driving >
Students Against Drunk Driving and Liberty Mutual partnered up on this powerful visual that includes statistics on distracted driving. - Communities that Care >
An overview of the Communities that Care survey results for Spartanburg and strategies for addressing substance use.
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Tobacco Education Program
The Tobacco Education Program (TEP) is designed as a prevention and early intervention tool for teens. It is most commonly used when a child or teen is found in possession of tobacco or nicotine products during school. This class is appropriate for both middle and high school students. Content includes:
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- The history of tobacco
- marketing techniques
- health risks associated with use
- signs of dependence
- Other helpful resources
- Please contact Lauren Hultstrand: lhulstrand@tfcbh.org or 864-707-2858
- Students under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian present at the beginning of class to sign a consent form. All participants are required to sign a Behavior Contract prior to the start of the class.
- Participants will receive a certificate of completion signed by the instructor.
- This class is for students only. Adults are welcome to stay in the breakroom during class or pick-up students at the end of the course.
- The cost for TEP is $25. Please note, we can only accept exact cash or money orders. We cannot take personal checks, make change, or run a card.
For schools who are referring four or more students for the same class, we can often accommodate requests for TEP during In School Suspension time at the request of the school.
Substance Use Referrals
When substance use occurs at school or use begins to impact academics, it can be an indicator that use has progressed beyond experimentation and into regular use or dependence. Whenever regular use is suspected we encourage a referral for an assessment. Our adolescent counselors use evidence-based screening tools and motivational interviewing to determine what is the most appropriate next step to ensure the safety and health of the student.
Adolescent Treatment Referrals:
Shan Jones (Adolescent Coordinator)
sjones@tfcbh.org
864-707-2848
Substance Use Treatment is Available
(864) 582-7588
The Forrester Center For Behavioral Health
Spartanburg, SC
1-800-622-4357
SAMHSA 24/7 Hotline
Providers Nationwide