South carolina coaches vs overdoses
Tackle Fentanyl South Carolina
The South Carolina Coaches vs. Overdoses Initiative unites coaches, parents, and communities in the fight against the fentanyl crisis.
In partnership with the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA), the South Carolina High School League, and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, this program combines awareness, education, and prevention to protect student-athletes and save lives.
Every coach has influence — and together, we can tackle fentanyl and defeat overdoses.
Resources for Coaches and Communities
The Tackle Fentanyl Toolkit and Prevention Playbook provide South Carolina coaches, schools, and community leaders with everything needed to take action against fentanyl and overdose deaths. Developed in partnership with the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA) and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), these resources include public address scripts, press releases, parent prevention guides, and life-saving facts about fentanyl and counterfeit vapes.
Together, these materials make it easy to plan awareness events, host Tackle Fentanyl Game Days, and educate students and families on the message that fake is fatal—and one pill can kill.
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The Tackle Fentanyl Toolkit
The Tackle Fentanyl Toolkit provides practical resources to help schools and communities lead awareness campaigns and host a Tackle Fentanyl Game Day that rallies students, parents, and fans.
It includes sample public address announcements, press releases, PSA scripts, social media templates, and parent prevention materials—plus optional videos, locker room slides, and more. These ready-to-use tools make it easy to raise awareness, educate your athletes, and lead your community in the fight against fentanyl and overdoses.
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Tackle Fentanyl: Prevention Playbook
The Tackle Fentanyl: Prevention Playbook is a 22-page educational guide developed by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA) in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) and OpenConversationSC.com. It equips coaches, schools, parents, and community leaders with facts, conversation tools, and prevention strategies to fight the growing fentanyl and vaping crisis across South Carolina.
Published in memory of Andrew Gall (2003–2023) and the 112,000 Americans who died from fentanyl overdoses in 2023.
107,543 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2023.
7 in 10 street pills contain a potentially deadly dose.
2 milligrams of fentanyl, the size of a few salt grains, can be fatal.
Educating teens makes them 65% less likely to misuse drugs.
Tackle Fentanyl and Protect Our Youth
The South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA), in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), is leading a statewide effort to educate and protect student-athletes, families, and communities from the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit products.
These short videos feature SCACA Executive Director Scott Earley and DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby, delivering urgent messages about the realities of fake pills, the risks of illegal vapes, and how awareness can save lives.
Watch and share these messages to help tackle fentanyl and defeat overdoses.
A Message from SCACA and DAODAS
Scott Earley, Executive Director of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association, and Sara Goldsby, Director of the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, share a sobering reminder that nearly every fake pill can contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. They call on coaches, parents, and students to take action—because every four and a half minutes, another life is lost to an overdose. Together, we can #TackleFentanyl and save lives.
One Pill Can Kill – Scott Earley, SCACA Executive Director
Scott Earley, Executive Director of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association, delivers a powerful message urging coaches, parents, and student-athletes to join the fight against fentanyl. In this Tackle Fentanyl video, he emphasizes that counterfeit pills are deadly and often indistinguishable from the real thing—reminding everyone that just one pill can kill.
Protect Your Family: The Dangers of Fake Vapes
Scott Earley, Executive Director of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association, warns parents and students about the growing threat of illegal and counterfeit vapes targeting youth. These unregulated products often contain harmful substances and can be just as dangerous as fake pills. Protect your family—start the conversation today.
Coaches vs Overdoses: Program Impact Spreads in SC
WSPA News 7 wrote a news article about the impact of ‘Coaches vs Overdoses’ program being felt throughout SC. Click the link to read the full article.
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