2006 News (Archive)
DAODAS Co-Sponsors "Rally for Recovery" and 5K Road Race to Celebrate Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
September 13, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C.– South Carolina Faces and Voices of Recovery (SC FAVOR) will hold a “Rally for Recovery” – featuring musical guest Miss South Carolina 2006 Shelley Benthall and the second annual ”Dry Run” Road Race – on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Sims Park in Columbia’s Shandon neighborhood (3500 Duncan Street).
Senator Lourie to Address Statewide Prevention Group
August 2, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C.– Sen. Joel Lourie (D-Dist. 22) will speak on the Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 during a gathering of substance abuse professionals from throughout the state at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3, at Ashland United Methodist Church (2600 Ashland Road in Columbia).
South Carolina Parents Urged to "Take the Pledge"
May 24, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Over the next few weeks, proud parents throughout South Carolina will look on as their sons and daughters march together and receive diplomas as high school graduates. Unfortunately, some of these parents will be tempted to help their children – and their children’s classmates – celebrate this milestone by hosting parties at which alcohol will be served.
"The Cost of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse in South Carolina" (Opinion-Editorial)
April 21, 2006
Even if you don’t abuse alcohol, use illicit drugs or tobacco, these substances have an overwhelming impact on all of us in South Carolina.
"Talking to Your Child Can Last a Lifetime" (Opinion-Editorial)
April 11, 2006
As parents, we talk with our children all the time. But one of the most important conversations you can have with your child is often neglected – a clear, informed discussion of the dangers of alcohol use. As South Carolina observes April as Alcohol Awareness Month, it is important to understand the scope of the problem.
Underage Drinking "Party Dispersal" Training at Irmo High School for Law Enforcement Officers
March 23, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – As part of South Carolina’s strategy to combat underage drinking, law enforcement officers from throughout the state will participate in three separate training exercises today in the Columbia area.
Problem Gambling Awareness Week
March 6, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Mark Sanford has proclaimed March 6-12 as Problem Gambling Awareness Week in South Carolina, encouraging all residents to work together to help spread the message that there is help for problem gamblers and to support those who are in treatment and recovery, as well as their families.
DAODAS Co-Sponsors "Rally for Recovery" and 5K Road Race to Celebrate Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
August 2, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C.– South Carolina Faces and Voices of Recovery (SC FAVOR) will hold a “Rally for Recovery” – featuring musical guest Miss South Carolina 2006 Shelley Benthall and the second annual ”Dry Run” Road Race – on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Sims Park in Columbia’s Shandon neighborhood (3500 Duncan Street).
The Road Race’s 5K certified course will be fast and flat through Shandon, and walkers are welcome. The course will begin at Sims Park, with the finish line provided by local retailer Strictly Running. Cash awards will be offered in the “Overall” and “Master’s” categories, as well as for various age groups. The “Dry Run” is the first race in the Columbia Running Club’s 2006 Tour de Columbia series.
The Rally for Recovery will begin at 11 a.m. (following the Road Race awards ceremony) and end at 2 p.m. In addition to Miss South Carolina, musical guests will include Chris Compton, Chuck Henderson, Dan Woodlief, Frank Graham and Wesley Braxton & Friends. The rally will also feature speeches on recovery advocacy, exhibits, food and fun!
SC FAVOR is a non-profit organization that supports recovery from addiction; works to broaden public awareness and understanding of addiction as a public health crisis; and advocates for increased opportunities for those seeking recovery. The event is co-sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS); the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center; South Carolina Hepatitis C Coalition; Kroger; Palmetto Health; Three Rivers Behavioral Health; LRADAC, The Behavioral Health Center of the Midlands; and South Carolina SHARE.
The "RALLY FOR RECOVERY" will be held:
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2006 (Race/walk registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.)
WHERE: Sims Park, 3500 Duncan Street, Columbia, South Carolina
COST: Admission to the rally is free. Race/walk registration is $20.
INFORMATION: Visit www.favormidlands.org.
DAODAS encourages community members to put on their running/walking shoes and help celebrate September as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month with this family-centered outdoor event!
Senator Lourie to Address Statewide Prevention Group
August 2, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C.– Sen. Joel Lourie (D-Dist. 22) will speak on the Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 during a gathering of substance abuse professionals from throughout the state at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3, at Ashland United Methodist Church (2600 Ashland Road in Columbia).
Sen. Lourie will discuss S.384, the legislation that he championed in the Senate and that goes into effect Aug. 21, and will hear from an anticipated 75 representatives of the state’s prevention workforce on the impact that the legislation is having in local communities. A discussion is also planned on how communities can be prepared to receive the maximum positive impact from this new law, which prohibits youth under 18 from purchasing or possessing tobacco products.
The conversation on the new law will be part of a larger “Prevention Quarterly Meeting” that begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
The details of Sen. Lourie's appearance are:
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006
WHERE: Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Rd., Columbia 29210
South Carolina Parents Urged to "Take the Pledge"
May 24, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Over the next few weeks, proud parents throughout South Carolina will look on as their sons and daughters march together and receive diplomas as high school graduates. Unfortunately, some of these parents will be tempted to help their children – and their children’s classmates – celebrate this milestone by hosting parties at which alcohol will be served.
To help remind adult of the vital role that they must play in helping young people deal with the temptations posed by alcohol, the Underage Drinking Action Group of the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse is encouraging parents to sign and submit a pledge to fight underage alcohol use. This pledge (which can be downloaded at www.daodas.state.sc.us/underage_drinking.asp) reads:
“As a parent concerned about the health and safety of my child, I pledge that I will not provide him/her – and especially someone else’s child – with alcohol, nor will I support underage drinking parties.
Underage drinking can ruin a young life, and I want to be part of a caring community that says ‘We do not support underage drinking!’”
“Too many parents see alcohol use as a rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood,” said W. Lee Catoe, director of the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) and chair of the Governor’s Council. “But these parents don’t realize that alcohol is the drug most frequently used by teenagers. It is consumed more frequently than all other illicit drugs combined and is the drug most likely to be associated with injury or death. In fact, in South Carolina, alcohol use is the major cause of loss of life for young people ages 15 to 24, accounting for 45 percent of their fatalities, most of which result from alcohol-related car crashes.
“As adults in South Carolina, we've got to do a far better job of persuading our young people that underage alcohol use is a dead end. They are playing Russian roulette, not only with their own lives, but with the lives of friends, neighbors, and loved ones. If we won’t protect our children, who will?”
Parents who choose not to support underage drinking can also avoid legal trouble themselves. In August 2005, the S.C. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision that adults who knowingly serve alcohol to minors at parties can face lawsuits and damages – in addition to criminal penalties – if the underage drinkers harm themselves or others.
For more information on the Parent Pledge Campaign, contact Steven Burritt at 803-896-1185; e-mail: sburritt@daodas.state.sc.us.
"The Cost of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse in South Carolina" (Opinion-Editorial)
April 21, 2006
by W. Lee Catoe
(For the Spartanburg Herald-Journal)
Even if you don’t abuse alcohol, use illicit drugs or tobacco, these substances have an overwhelming impact on all of us in South Carolina.
Why is that?
Because we, as citizens, pay the bill for the direct and indirect costs of substance abuse in South Carolina. And that bill adds up to the incredible amount of $2.5 billion per year. What this means is that every person over the age of 18 in South Carolina spends about $1,000 each year to pay for the costs associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
These costs are real. They come from increased prices for goods and services that everyone has to pay because abusers are absent from work more often and are less productive when they are at work. They come from higher taxes for additional police and jails to deal with drunk driving and other drug- related arrests; property losses due to drug-related thefts or automobile accidents; and higher healthcare costs to cover the cost of abusers who use the healthcare system more extensively than non-abusers.
Every one of us is touched by substance abuse. If we look within our own worlds, families, neighborhoods, jobs, even churches, we all know someone who has experienced or is experiencing a problem with alcohol or other drugs. It is in your backyard.
Substance abuse affects all of us – young, old, black, white, educated, uneducated, rich, poor. Substance abuse does not discriminate. Alcohol and other drug dependence is a chronic, debilitating, relapsing and often fatal disease. All South Carolinians need to realize the magnitude of this problem and the urgent need for resources to combat substance abuse.
Not convinced? Consider this. In South Carolina, 24 percent of high school students smoke, and young smokers are three times more likely to drink alcohol, seven times more likely to smoke marijuana, 15 times more likely to use cocaine, and 41 times more likely to use hallucinogens. In our state, about 41 percent of ninth-graders and 45 percent of 12th-graders currently use alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco kill more people each year than AIDS, illicit drugs, homicides, suicides, car crashes and fires combined. Use of marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin is on the rise – right here in South Carolina. Take a look at our jail system in South Carolina. More than 50 percent of all inmates had alcohol or other drug problems when they entered jail. Nearly half of all rapes, two-thirds of all burglaries and three-fourths of all murders occurred when the inmates were using alcohol or other drugs. We know that treatment reduces the chance that inmates will return to jail when they get out. It costs about $2,000 to treat someone for alcohol or other drug addiction, and it costs about $30,000 to house someone for a year in jail. This is easy – do we spend $2,000 or $30,000?
In our state substance abuse system, we believe that the most important focus in prevention is on our children. Alcohol and other drug abuse among our young people is a growing problem in South Carolina, and we are committed to identifying and treating these problems to protect our future.
To accomplish our goals, we must first admit we have a problem. It's like the elephant in the living room that everyone sees, but no one wants to talk about. Everyone thinks alcohol and other drug abuse is happening to someone else's kid – but it can happen to all of our kids.
Then we've got to realize that we can spend $1 on prevention and treatment or we can spend more than $7 to clean up the messes made by addicts – by paying for jails, foster care, higher healthcare costs, lost jobs and more. Again, do we spend $1 or $7? It really is a simple answer.
Greater funding for substance abuse prevention means healthier children, better schools and less of a burden on our healthcare and prison systems. Ultimately, it is far better for this state to invest $1 in prevention and treatment than to spend $7 to cover the damage of alcohol and other drug abuse. That is why Governor Mark Sanford supports the efforts of the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services to increase the use of evidence-based prevention programming by our state’s county alcohol and drug abuse authorities, such as the Spartanburg Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, in an attempt to enhance services to adolescents.
By addressing the issue of substance abuse on the “front end,” we will increase the quality of life for all South Carolinians and increase the economic capacity of our families and our state.
"Talking to Your Child Can Last a Lifetime" (Opinion-Editorial)
April 11, 2006
by Jenny Sanford & W. Lee Catoe
“This is your best report card yet!” “You played a great game today.” “You were the most talented one in the recital!”
“Clean your room.”
As parents, we talk with our children all the time. But one of the most important conversations you can have with your child is often neglected – a clear, informed discussion of the dangers of alcohol use. As South Carolina observes April as Alcohol Awareness Month, it is important to understand the scope of the problem.
Did you know that 74 percent of sixth- through 12th-graders in South Carolina have tried alcohol? And that 32 percent of these students took their first drink, beyond just a few sips, before age 13?
While the encouraging news is that most fifth-grade children in our state are not using alcohol, it is still a decision that many face. How wisely they choose is up to us. Children and teens in South Carolina need to know how to reject underage alcohol use and how potentially damaging underage drinking is to their health – today and tomorrow.
But first, many parents must learn to communicate with their children. In general, the key is to establish open lines of communication early. Remember – children don’t care what you know until they know you care. So building trust is essential to communication. But it cannot be done overnight. It is a process, not an event. It’s actions and words – kids can spot hypocrisy a mile away.
And while kids don’t like to be lectured, they do want to be able to talk about important issues with their parents – just not in a forced manner. So know what you’re talking about and use brief “learning moments” to make your points. Longer, more in-depth conversations may develop later.
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of setting a good example for your children. Children of drinkers are much more likely to drink, and children who “help” their parents drink by bringing them beer or pouring them drinks typically will drink more outside the home than other children and will experience more problems related to their drinking. So, too, will children whose parents allow them to drink in the home.
Still, as much as children need their parents, we often need support in our work to ensure the safety and health of our young people. To create a statewide dialogue that will enhance parents’ efforts, the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), with assistance from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is coordinating town hall meetings throughout the state, each one adopting the same theme: “Start Talking Before They Start Drinking.” These meetings are bringing together public officials, parents and youth with community leaders and organizations in health, education, law enforcement, highway safety, and alcohol control to learn more about science and consequences of underage drinking, and to discuss how their communities can best prevent underage alcohol use by reducing demand, availability and access. Each meeting seeks to offer parents and other concerned adults the knowledge and tools to connect with today’s youth about underage drinking.
The hub of South Carolina’s conversation on underage drinking during April will be an hour-long, interactive discussion that will air on SCETV at 8 p.m. on April 12. Panelists consisting of a prevention professional, law enforcement official, parent and teenager will address the various aspects of this important issue and take calls from participants in town hall meetings as well as the general viewing audience.
So remember – whether on your own or as part of an organized campaign – don’t underestimate the extent to which a parent’s opinion matters to their children. The benefits of talking to your child about underage drinking can last a lifetime, and make a lifetime last.
Underage Drinking "Party Dispersal" Training at Irmo High School for Law Enforcement Officers
March 23, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – As part of South Carolina’s strategy to combat underage drinking, law enforcement officers from throughout the state will participate in three separate training exercises today in the Columbia area.
Working with national and state-level experts from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, law enforcement personnel will participate in dispersal of a mock “field party” and “house party” staged at Irmo High School, as well as an actual safety checkpoint at the intersection of Bush River and Berryhill Roads.
The following facts make underage drinking one of our state’s most troubling health issues:
· Underage drinking costs South Carolina $837.5 million per year – $2,036 for each young person in our state.
· 74% of sixth- through 12th-graders in South Carolina have tried alcohol.
· 32% of these students took their first drink, beyond just a few sips, before age 13.
· In 2001, youth under 21 consumed an estimated 12% of the alcohol consumed in South Carolina.
· Alcohol consumption ranks third among actual causes of death in the United States.
The activities are part of a two-day “Keys to Implementing Effective Environmental Strategies in Local Communities” training sponsored by DAODAS.
The events will be held:
“FIELD PARTY” DISPERSAL
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2006
WHERE: Irmo High School Baseball Field, 6671 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia 29212
“HOUSE PARTY” DISPERSAL
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2006
WHERE: Irmo High School, 6671 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia 29212
SAFETY CHECKPOINT
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2006
WHERE: Bush River at Berryhill Road (off I-20), Columbia 29210.
Problem Gambling Awareness Week
March 6, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Mark Sanford has proclaimed March 6-12 as Problem Gambling Awareness Week in South Carolina, encouraging all residents to work together to help spread the message that there is help for problem gamblers and to support those who are in treatment and recovery, as well as their families.
"Problem gambling is a public health issue that has a significant societal and economic impact on all residents of the Palmetto State," Governor Sanford stated in his proclamation.
"Problem gamblers can suffer tremendous losses that lead to serious financial situations," said W. Lee Catoe, director of the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS). "This disorder can also destroy careers, relationships and lives. Even worse, the destruction is not limited to the gamblers themselves. Friends and loved ones are often affected, spreading the negative impact of problem gambling throughout our society."
According to the Problem Gambling Council of South Carolina Inc., an estimated 95,000 South Carolinians could be problem gamblers, with gambling behavior that disrupts or negatively impacts other areas of their lives. However, problem gambling is treatable, and treatment is effective in minimizing the harm to both individuals and society as a whole.
DAODAS’ network of county alcohol and drug abuse authorities offer specialized services for individuals and families affected by problem gambling. Each of the 33 agencies throughout the state provides counselors who are specially trained to address the unique and critical needs of problem gamblers.
As the first step for individuals in need of such treatment, DAODAS operates the SC Gambling Helpline (1-877-452-5155) to provide support to problem gamblers and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By dialing this number, callers can speak directly to a counselor who will share more information and can arrange an individualized assessment and treatment plan for the caller or the caller’s loved one. After completion of a program focusing on the nature of compulsive gambling, denial and recovery, relapse prevention and other pertinent issues, referrals can be made to continuing care groups such as Gamblers Anonymous.
Since its inception in 2004, the SC Gambling Helpline has received more than 4,500 calls.
For more information on the signs of problem gambling, click here.