Education, Curriculum - As enacted, establishes a pilot program that provides grants to local education agencies to advance substance abuse and violence prevention programs. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 821 requires all Tennessee public schools serving grades 3-12 and public charter schools to implement an annual, research-backed substance abuse prevention program. The program must teach students refusal skills, anti-drug norms, and life skills to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, while supplementing existing efforts like DARE and character education. Schools must provide these programs year-round without replacing current drug education or health instruction. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, affecting every school district and charter school in the state.