Prevention

It’s hard to see adults struggle with substance use disorder, but to watch our kids go through it is downright heartbreaking. In 2017, around 44,000 children had illicit drug use disorder in South Carolina. Substance use wreaks havoc on young, underdeveloped minds. It can steal futures and ruin lives. When alcohol or other drug use begins in adolescence, it has a much higher likelihood of creating problems into adulthood. These are the reasons why we’re committed to educating our youth on the dangers and downfalls of alcohol and other drug use. 

We’ve seen what a difference prevention programs have made in our community. Education is often all that is needed to make a change. At Behavioral Health Services Pickens County (BHSPC), we have a variety of outreach programs and classes designed to catch alcohol and other drug use before it starts.

Prevention Programs at Behavioral Health Services Pickens

At BHSPC, our prevention services aim to:

• Promote a lifestyle free from alcohol and other drugs across all age groups 
• Encourage children, adolescents, and teens to delay the onset of alcohol and drug use 
• Reduce the likelihood of youth engaging in high-risk drug use later in life 

We strive to achieve these goals through collaborative community efforts and coalition-building. 

Prevention Services 

Prevention Education Classes

-Palmetto Retailers Education Program (PREP): The kids who are using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco aren’t the only ones who can benefit from substance use education. The merchants who are selling the substances also need to be educated on the laws regarding underage sales. Our PREP course also works to teach merchants about the short and long-term consequences substance use has on adolescents. PREP courses also aid in lowering liability risks for business owners and their employees.

 In PREP, we go over things like:

• How to correctly check I.D.
• The alcohol sales laws in South Carolina
• How tobacco and alcohol physically and mentally affect our kids
• How to refuse the sale of alcohol to minors
• The importance of their legal responsibilities

Cost: $50 (if sale has been completed); FREE for "Proactive PREP" (training before a charge occurs)
Primary Audience: Managers, Bartenders, Servers, and Cashiers where alcohol and tobacco are sold

-Alcohol Education Program: At BHSPC we offer an 8-hour evidence-based class that increases awareness of underage drinking. We teach students about the negative effects of alcohol abuse. We focus on how powerful their choices are, and how those choices will impact their lives (and the lives of others).

Cost: $100
Primary Audience: Those charged with minor in possession of alcohol

-Tobacco Education Program: Our Tobacco Education Program is for anyone under the age of 18 who has violated tobacco law. If it’s a first offense, we work to get the charge dropped from their record. For this to happen, the class needs to be completed in its entirety. We believe everyone makes mistakes. By learning about the negative effects of tobacco use, our hope is that the offense won’t be repeated.

Cost: $25
Primary Audience: Middle or High School students who have been caught with nicotine products

Request a Speaker

Are you looking for a speaker for your next event? Prevention is available to speak on a wide variety of topics and to all audiences and ages. 

If you don't see a topic you need, please request your specific topic in the notes section below. We are happy to tailor a presentation to your specific needs. 

• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD)
• Coping Champions (Healthy Coping Skills)
• Current Trends/Fads related to ATOD
• Substance-Specific Presentations (Alcohol, Opioids/Fentanyl, Tobacco/Nicotine/E-Cigarettes, Etc.) 

BHSPC Prevention Coalitions

1. AET (Alcohol Enforcement Team – 13th Circuit)
2. Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Coalition
3. Clemson Community Coalitions (CCC)

A member of the BHSPC Prevention team is a representative on each of these coalitions.

Permanent Prescription Drop Box Locations 

• City of Clemson Police Department 1198 Tiger Blvd. Clemson, SC 29631
• Liberty Police Department 147b Kay Holcombe Rd. Liberty, SC 29657
• Easley Police Department220 NW Main St. Easley, SC 29640
• AnMed Health Cannon123 WG Acker Dr. Pickens, SC 29671

Please note: The Pickens County Sheriff’s Department will always accept unwanted or expired prescriptions.

FAQs on Prevention Programs at BHSPC