Prevention

Learn more about the prevention services for substance use at Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County

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 we have three goals for our prevention services:

  • We want to increase the number of people who abstain from alcohol and other drugs
  • We want to delay drug and alcohol use in children, adolescents, and teens
  • We want to decrease the risk of our youth becoming high-risk drug users in the future

We work on accomplishing these goals through community services and coalitions.

Contact BHS of Pickens County Today

Reach out today to get started on your journey to recovery

Prevention Services 

  • Community Outreach: We visit health fairs, schools, and community events advertising healthy, substance-free lifestyles.
  • Employee Assistance Programs: We work with employers to ensure mental and physical well-being among their employees.
  • School and Education Presentations: We speak at schools throughout Pickens Country about tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. If you’d like us to speak at your educational institution, you just need to fill out a request form. Some of the things we talk about are how alcohol and other drugs affect brain chemistry, physical health, and mental health. We also discuss ways to say “no” to peer pressure and how to feel confident in a drug-free lifestyle. The request form can be found in the FAQ section at the bottom of this page. Call Prevention to discuss any possible fees associated with presentations. 
  • Pickens County Youth Board (PCYB): The teens in Pickens County are truly exceptional when it comes to outreach. They’re passionate about educating their peers and preventing future substance use. They work with our local middle and high schools to engage, empower, and impact their peers. PCYB also practice outreach through social media and their podcast: “But They Don’t” – by teens, for teens.

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

-Prime for Life-High School: Utilizing a shortened version of the evidence-based curriculum from AEP, this class teaches high school students about the negative effects of alcohol abuse. This class is two sessions with 4.5 hours of total education.

Cost: $25
Primary Audience: High School Students

-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


Prevention Services Pickens - Behavioral Health Services Pickens County

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

How Can I Sign Up for a Prevention Class or Program?

For Prevention programs, initial paperwork is required to be enrolled in the program. Programs are offered on an as-needed basis. Please visit the Prevention Department to fill out the required paperwork. Bring any court-related documents that you may have. If you wish to refer someone to a Prevention program, use this form

 

As a Student, How Can I Participate on the Pickens County Youth Board?

You can download our application and either mail it in or drop it off! We’d love to have you! If you’re an adult and know an awesome teen who would make a great addition to Youth Board, you can fill out a nomination form. 

 

How Can I Arrange an Educational Presentation for My School or Group?

If you’d like us to speak at your educational institution, please fill out this request form.

Am I Eligible to Join the Pickens County Youth Board?

Pickens County Youth Board (PCYB) is open to all high school students (9th-12th graders) in Pickens County, SC. Interested students should: demonstrate leadership through school and community activities, be open-minded and willing to work with peers to create a change in youth alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in the community, and commit to 100% participation in all PCYB leadership activities.

If you have any other questions or you’d like to know more, please call Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County at 864-898-5800, text us at 864-822-0874 or email prevention@bhspickens.com

 

Contact Us Today

Reach out to the team at Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County by clicking the call button below