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The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services Alcohol and other drug abuse continues to affect every community in South Carolina and creates a tremendous burden for our society and its citizens. Not only does it adversely affect the health of South Carolinians, it also negatively impacts the social and economic conditions of the state. To counter the effects of alcohol and drug abuse, the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services has adopted the following mission statement:

"The mission of the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) is to reduce the negative health, social and economic consequences resulting from the use of alcohol and other drugs. Through a variety of primary prevention, intervention and treatment strategies, the DAODAS works with numerous other state and local agencies and organizations to reduce and control problems related to the use of these substances. The goal of the department is to provide affordable and accessible quality services to the general public as well as special and high-risk populations in an effort to create a safer and healthier environment for all citizens of the state of South Carolina".

During FY94, the DAODAS in its first year of operation as a department within the Governor's Cabinet following the passage of Act 265, "The State Government Accountability and Reform Act of 1993", worked to accomplish this mission through the statewide system of county alcohol and other drug abuse authorities. This was accomplished by maintaining ongoing prevention, intervention and treatment programs to address these and other problems while at the same time continuing efforts to find new ways to reach previously underserved populations.

During the year, the county alcohol and other drug abuse authorities coordinated and/or conducted 24,190 different prevention activities impacting more than 704,000 individual South Carolinians. Once again, the South Carolina Teen Institute for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention was the largest and most comprehensive prevention initiative conducted by the state system. During FY94, three week-long training sessions were held as part of the Teen Institute. These sessions involved

In South Carolina, an estimated 226,000 individuals aged 12 and over currently are classified as alcohol and/or other drug dependent and/or in need of other intervention and treatment services. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states "that a treatment program is reaching its target population if 10 percent of the alcohol and other drug dependent population is receiving treatment at any given time." During FY94, 54,089 clients received direct intervention and/or treatment services through the county alcohol and other drug abuse authorities. Based on this number of citizens being served, South Carolina was above the norm during FY94 with regard to the number of individuals who received direct intervention and/or treatment services. More specifically, 30,906 clients received direct services through intervention programs offered as an alternative to more serious consequences. These services were provided through the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP), the School Intervention Program (ScIP), Offender Based Intervention program (OBI), and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). The remaining 23,183 clients received direct treatment services on a voluntary basis or because of pressure exerted by family members, friends or other influences including the judicial process. A number of additional South Carolinians received treatment through private agencies, other state or community agencies such as the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, interstate or out-of-state treatment centers, or through self-help groups including Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous.

Continuing to face diminishing resources, the department has been successful in collaborative efforts to obtain both federal and state funding for additional addictions treatment units to be housed in the states' correctional system. The new units all of which will be fully operational in FY95 include the following: (1) New Connections, a 250 bed unit at Manning Correctional Institution in Columbia which is funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; (2) Coastal Addictions Treatment Program, a 48 bed unit for probation and parole violators at Coastal Work Center in Charleston which is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice; (3) Appalachian Addictions Treatment

Another collaborative effort in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health was continued this year in accordance with the provisions of the state's Involuntary Commitment Law for individuals who are seriously or chronically addicted to alcohol or other drugs but who do not seek assistance on their own. This law, which became effective on January 1, 1987, is designed to: (1) ensure that individuals who are committed to treatment are properly diagnosed; (2) provide for treatment in an appropriate facility or program; and (3) utilize, whenever possible, outpatient treatment alternatives available in an individuals community of residence.

Efforts culminated this year in a grant received from the Federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to implement "The Bridge" a program designed to provide intensive community based outpatient treatment services for adolescents following their release from addictions treatment facilities and/or from institutional care within the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Federal funding for this 3-year demonstration project began in early 1994 and will expand existing services for high-risk adolescents in the targeted communities of Spartanburg, Orangeburg and Columbia.

Also this year, intensive in-home services were initiated in four pilot sites to enhance the system's capacity to provide Medicaid reimbursement for family-centered services. These efforts, which were implemented in Aiken, Darlington, Dorchester and Pickens counties, were coordinated with the Health and Human Services Finance Commission and the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The primary goal of this effort is to insure that total family health and human service needs are met through interagency collaboration and effective case management.

The department continues to place emphasis on the unique programming needs of women. The department is responsible for directing efforts to improve the availability and the accessibility of alcohol and other drug related services for women and their dependent children. In addition, the department serves as a resource for other state agencies and also coordinates special initiatives targeting women. Located within the department's Office of Women's Services is the Women's Resource

The department also continued to manage the contract for the women's community residents, a 24 bed facility operated by Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council serving a statewide need for women who require residential therapeutic accommodations following completion of a more intensive phase of inpatient treatment. During FY94, 144 women were admitted to this residence. Also during the year the department expanded its treatment services for women with dependent children with two long-term residential treatment programs. Serenity Place, operated by the Greenville County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse provides 10 beds for women and can accommodate up to 20 dependent children. In addition, federal funding was secured by Circle Park Associates, the Florence County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Authority, to develop a similar long-term residential program for women and dependent children. The Chrysalis Center, which opened in October 1993, provides 16 beds for women and can accommodate approximately 32 dependent children. Both of these programs house women and their children for up to one and one-half years and give priority access for treatment to pregnant women. Plans have been finalized for a similar program which is scheduled to open in Charleston the fall of 1994 and will be operated by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services of Charleston County.

This department also continued to work with "Healthy Start", a Presidential Initiative designed to reduce infant mortality in 15 high-risk communities throughout the country. This initiative, which is implemented in this state in collaboration with the United Way of South Carolina, provides funding for a comprehensive array of services including alcohol and other drug education and treatment for high-risk pregnant women and their infants. This project is operational in Darlington, Marion/Dillon, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties.

For legislative support during FY94, this department monitored more than 146 legislative bills relating to alcohol and other drug abuse issues.

Several controversial bills including a joint resolution proposing a change in the Constitution to allow "free pour" of distilled spirits and proposal to regulate and license the retail distribution of tobacco products were debated but were not passed during the legislative year. The establishment of prisoner rehabilitation programs has been a major successful initiative and there is continued progress in developing legislation to better serve addicted pregnant women and children of this state.

The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services will continue to refine systems of care and search for innovative and cost effective ways to insure that appropriate prevention, intervention, and treatment services are available to meet the needs of the citizens of South Carolina. The department will work and cooperate with the Joint Legislative Committee to Study Problems of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and all other branches of government meeting our goals to provide affordable quality and accessible services to all South Carolinians.

The problems associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs in this state are enormous. Their costs, in both human and economic terms, are staggering. The following information illustrates the extent of this serious public health and safety issue currently facing South Carolina.

General Overview: An estimated 155,260 South Carolinians ages 18 and older currently have serious drinking problems or drinking habits that put them at high risk of developing such problems. In addition, an

Alcohol related accidents and illnesses account for 12 percent of all deaths in South Carolina each year. In 1991 alone, 3,594 South Carolinians died from alcohol related causes, while 358 died from causes related to the use of all other drugs. Among young people ages 15 to 24, alcohol use is the major cause of death. Of the 647 deaths in this age group during 1991, 291 (45 percent) were due to alcohol use, primarily alcohol related car crashes, while 59 (9 percent) were attributable to the use of all other drugs.

By comparison, deaths resulting from AIDS and drugs other than alcohol each account for less than one-half of 1 percent of all deaths each year. More than four times as many South Carolinians die each year from alcohol related causes than the total number of South Carolinians (885) who died during the 18-year Vietnam War.

During fiscal year 1994, 56,473 individuals, or approximately 1.5 percent of the state's total population, received some type of service provided by South Carolina's statewide system of county alcohol and drug abuse authorities, including referrals to other service providers, administrative terminations and other actions as appropriate. Of this total, 54,089 clients received direct intervention and/or treatment services through the county authorities.

Alcohol is the number-one drug of abuse in South Carolina, accounting for 72 percent of the substance related admissions to the state system. Of drugs other than alcohol, cocaine is the number-one drug for which South Carolinians seek treatment. Admissions for treatment of cocaine problems have increased more than sevenfold since 1985. Treatment admissions for other drugs (e.g., marijuana, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, hallucinogens, etc.) are down by as much as 73 percent.

Admissions to the state's Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the education and treatment program required for all persons convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), have almost doubled since 1980. Women, young people and blacks are entering treatment in this state in progressively larger numbers. The average age of persons in these categories who are admitted for alcohol related problems is decreas- ing, while the average age of persons admitted for other drug related problems is increasing.

Consumption Patterns: Approximately one-half of all South Carolina adults ages 18 and older are drinkers. Drinking is most common in the younger age groups and decreases with age. Males drink more than females and whites drink more than blacks. Individuals in higher income groups drink more than those in lower income groups. Columbia and Charleston have the highest levels of consumption. The Upstate has the lowest levels.

Alcoholic beverages account for about 15 percent of all of the fluids an average person consumes each year, including water, soft drinks, milk, coffee, etc. In fact, the per capita consumption of beer is greater than the per capita consumption of milk each year.

Beer is the beverage of choice among those who drink, accounting for 60 percent of all the pure alcohol (ethanol) consumed in this state. Distilled spirits account for about one-third of all of the alcohol consumed, while wine accounts for the rest. Young persons (especially males under the age of 29) drink two to three times as much beer as the rest of the population.

South Carolinians drink slightly more beer and distilled spirits than Georgians do, but significantly more than North Carolinians. Wine consumption is about equal in all three of these states.

About 6 percent of South Carolina adults are classified as "heavy" drinkers, and about 12 percent are classified as "binge" drinkers. These drinking patterns are more common in the younger age groups and decrease with age. Heavy drinking and binge drinking are more common among males than females and among whites than blacks.

The heavy drinkers in South Carolina consume a tremendous amount of alcohol. A mere 5 percent of South Carolina adults consume one-half of all of the beer, wine and distilled spirits consumed in this state in any given year.

Males experience more problems with alcohol than females do. Alcohol problems among males are most common in the younger age groups (late teens through early 30s) and decrease with age. Alcohol related problems among females are most common in the late 20s and early 30s.

Although blacks drink less than whites overall, blacks are slightly more likely to develop personal, family, occupational or legal problems due to

Drinking and driving is most common in the younger age groups and decreases with age. Drinking and driving is more common among males than females and among whites than blacks.

Among South Carolina's high school seniors, 71 percent have used alcohol, 24 percent have used marijuana and 4 percent have used cocaine. Even among 7th graders, 35 percent admit to having used alcohol, 4 percent admit to having used marijuana and 2 percent admit to having used cocaine.

Research has proved that there is a strong association between the overall level of alcohol consumption in South Carolina and the death rate from liver cirrhosis. As alcohol consumption increases, so does the number of deaths from cirrhosis. Deaths from many other causes, such as cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, also are linked to alcohol use.

Arrest Rates: Alcohol related arrests (DUI, alcohol law violations and public drunkenness) account for about 25 percent of all arrests made in South Carolina. Arrests for other drugs (e.g., cocaine, marijuana, etc.) account for 8 percent of all arrests. Thus, alcohol and other drug arrests account for at least 33 percent of all arrests made in this state.

A large percentage of the remaining arrests are for crimes committed while under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs. Almost two-thirds of all burglaries and more than one-half of all murders and rapes are committed while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Almost 60 percent of the inmates in the South Carolina Department of Corrections system were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs when they committed their particular offense, and almost 40 percent admit to having serious problems with alcohol or other drugs.

DUI arrests are down 31 percent since 1990, and arrests for alcohol law violations have decreased 33 percent since 1990. Cocaine/crack arrest rates in South Carolina are relatively unchanged since 1990. Marijuana arrest rates are up 11 percent since 1990, and heroin arrests are down 15 percent since 1990.

Traffic Crashes and Fatalities: According to coroners' reports, about 68 percent of all South Carolinians killed in car crashes were drinking prior to their crashes.

Alcohol related traffic deaths in South Carolina occur most frequently on Saturday. Friday and Sunday are the next most common days.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are more than twice as likely to be involved in an alcohol related traffic crash as compared to the South Carolina licensed driving population in general. Alcohol related traffic crashes are less common in the older age groups.

Economic Costs: The economic cost of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs in South Carolina totals approximately $2.5 billion each year.

Each adult in this state pays $1,000 each year to cover the cost of this abuse. These costs are reflected in such factors as artificially increased prices for all goods and services (because abusers are absent more often and are less productive when they are at work); higher taxes (for additional police and jails to deal with drunk driving and other drug related arrests); property losses (due to thefts for drug money or car crashes); and higher health care costs (to cover the cost of abusers who use the health care system more extensively).

The state's economic cost of alcohol abuse alone is estimated at $1.5 billion per year, the majority of which is attributable to the reduced productivity and increased absenteeism of persons with alcohol related problems. Other major factors include lost earnings due to premature deaths and the cost of treatment services.

The economic cost resulting from the abuse of drugs other than alcohol is estimated at an additional $1 billion per year, the majority of which is attributable to reduced productivity and crime associated with illegal drug use.

The development of South Carolina's FY 1994 State Strategy is a reflection of lessons learned during the past seven years of administration of the Drug Control and System Improvement Formula Grant Program. While great strides have been made in all areas of the criminal justice system in fighting the "war on drugs and violent crime," the belief that this is strictly a criminal justice problem is no longer held. Rather, the problem of alcohol and other drug abuse and violent crime in our state and nation has become a community problem, and society now owns a part in

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This web page was last updated on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 2:10 P.M.