Prevention services are designed to help tri-county citizens of all ages avoid the dangers of using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Services strive to prevent young people from experimenting with these substances, as well as, to prevent the development of problems among specific high-risk groups and the public at large. Available in communities throughout Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun counties, prevention services are based upon principles of sound research and developed according to the ten steps of the planning and evaluation model, Getting to Outcomes. They are designed to address specific risk and protective factors within the community. Each program is developed within the framework of the six prevention strategies outlined by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). All of the programs selected for implementation are universal and multi-faceted with the exception of the Alcohol Education Program (AEP). Programs are updated annually to address current issues surrounding substance abuse in our communities. Consultation and training is available for schools, neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and other community groups.

Education

This strategy aims to teach participants critical life and social skills in order to promote health and well-being while at the same time preventing problems that may occur without these skills. Program lengths vary from 11 to 13 sessions approximately 1 hour long. All programs offered are evidence-based and proven effective. Current programs available include:

       Project Alert – Middle School Students (www.projectalert.com)

       Class Action – High School Students (www.hazelden.org)

Information Dissemination

The aim of this strategy is to increase knowledge and alter attitudes about issues related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and abuse. The information disseminated is about the nature and prevalence of substance abuse and addiction, and the psychological and social effects it may have to a wide variety of audiences. These programs include:

     Presentations

     Health Fairs

     Training

     Literature

     Media Campaigns

Environmental

Environmental strategies are focused on changing aspects of the environment that contribute to the use of alcohol and other drugs. Specifically, environmental strategies aim to decrease the social and health consequences of substance abuse by limiting access to substances and changing social norms that are accepting and permissive of substance abuse. They can change public laws, policies and practices to create environments that decrease the probability of substance abuse. The environmental strategies currently implemented in the tri-county area include:

       Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Checks

       Merchant Education – Palmetto Retailers Education Program (PREP) 

       Media Advocacy

       Party Patrols/Dispersals

       Safety Checkpoints

       Shoulder Taps

       Synar-Youth Access to Tobacco Survey 

Community-Based Process

The TCCADA has assisted various communities in the tri-county area in addressing community issues and concerns by creating community partnerships. The TCCADA has been instrumental in providing programmatic oversight, funding strategies and science-based technical assistance to aid communities in addressing substance use and abuse, risk behaviors, crime, and health matters. Current partnerships include:

        The Edisto Health Coalition

       1st Judicial Alcohol Enforcement Team (AET) (Orangeburg, Calhoun, and    

            Dorchester Counties)

       2nd Judicial Alcohol Enforcement Team (AET) (Bamberg County)

Identification and Referral

Early identification and referral programs target specific individuals for participation and are more intensive in nature than prevention efforts that are directed to the general adolescent population. This CSAP prevention strategy aims at the identification of those adolescents who have indulged in the illegal use of alcohol in order to assess if their behavior can be reversed through education. It should be noted, however, that this strategy does not include any activity designed to determine if a person is in need of treatment.

        Alcohol Education Program (AEP) – Eight hour education program for youth 17-20 years

        old with a first-offense underage alcohol violation referred by the 1st or 2nd Judicial        

        Circuit Solicitor’s Office.  

Alternatives

A key aspect of this strategy is the voluntary participation of youth in drug-free activities which allow youth to enhance their skills and/or knowledge, occupy their unstructured time, and involve them in community service.

       Field Trip

       Rewards

       Leadership Training

Special Programs

The TCCADA's prevention department tries to make learning fun. With this in mind, several unique programs are available to everyone in the tri-county area. These include:

       50 Ways to Use Your Noodle - Individual lesson plans that teach problem-solving,        

       verbal/non-verbal communication, and teamwork.

       Fatal Vision - Goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol consumption on vision,

       coordination, and balance.

Some programs may have costs associated with them. For more information on prevention services, call 803-536-4900, ext. 138.