General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Recognizes importance of substance abuse prevention education. -

SJR 619 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data like 29.8% of students vaping nicotine and 13% vaping marijuana per the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey. It recommends schools implement evidence-based prevention programs - starting in kindergarten and continuing through graduation - integrated into existing health and physical education curricula. The resolution specifically advocates for life skills training, social-emotional learning, and mental health support as part of these programs. As a statement of intent, it urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt these approaches but does not create new laws or allocate funding.