Thrive presents local youth substance‑use findings; board schedules follow‑up presentation

Representatives of Thrive, the county substance‑use prevention organization, briefed the board on findings from a community needs assessment and the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey results for Indian River County students.

Thrive staff pointed to county results showing overall downward trends in use categories including vaping and substance use but flagged concerns including perceptions of harm and higher rates of some mental‑health indicators. The workshop packet included a community needs assessment summary and local survey results; staff emphasized these are local data points to inform prevention activities.

Board members asked about the survey methodology and permissions. Thrive said the statewide survey is administered through the Florida Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families; staff agreed to return with documentation on how surveys were distributed and the permission process. Thrive said the most recent county responses included 451 middle school students (three middle schools sampled) and 502 high school students (six high schools sampled) in the packet summary.

Board members and staff discussed vaping and other risk behaviors and asked Thrive to return for a March presentation tied to the district's vaping awareness proclamation; district staff agreed to give Thrive a platform at that meeting. Several board members praised Thrive's new facility and outreach work and urged continued partnership on prevention and family engagement activities.

Ending: Thrive will provide a March presentation and follow up with documentation on survey administration and permissions; board members urged continued collaboration on prevention initiatives.