2002 News (Archive)
South Carolina Surpasses Goal for 2002
May 29, 2002
The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) today released the results of the 2002 Youth Access to Tobacco Study, the ninth annual study to determine the extent of the problem of underage access to cigarettes in South Carolina.
The Prescription Drug Debate
March 19, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Prescription drugs have long been used effectively to better the quality of life of many Americans. However, recent events have brought to light the darker side of prescription medications - rampant misuse and abuse.
Faith Community Comes Together for Statewide Luncheon
March 19, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Leaders from South Carolina’s faith community will gather in Columbia today to attend a FaithWorks luncheon featuring Father George Clements, founder of One Church-One Addict Inc., in an effort to enhance collaborative relationships between faith organizations and the statewide alcohol and drug abuse system.
When Mom or Dad Does Drugs or Drinks Too Much
February 8, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. - He could be your neighbor’s child. She could be your little girl’s best friend. They look like regular, fun-loving kids. But behind those sweet young faces they have a secret, one they’re not talking about - Mom or Dad uses illicit drugs or drinks too much.
National Report Highlights Adolescent Drug Use in South Carolina
January 29, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The numbers are out and it’s not good news for South Carolina. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its latest Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) report which identifies underlying trends in substance abuse and treatment around the country from 1994 through 1999.
South Carolina Surpasses Goal for 2002
May 29, 2002
~Youth Access to Tobacco Products Remains Under 20%~
The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) today released the results of the 2002 Youth Access to Tobacco Study, the ninth annual study to determine the extent of the problem of underage access to cigarettes in South Carolina.
Conducted by DAODAS in cooperation with the state’s 34 county alcohol and drug abuse authorities, the annual study monitors the state’s compliance with the Synar Regulation of the federal Public Health Service Act of 1993. The Synar Regulation is a federal mandate that requires each state to document a rate of tobacco sales to minors of no more than 20 percent. States that fail to meet this requirement risk losing millions of dollars in federal funds for alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment services.
“More important than the $8 million at risk is the health of our youth in South Carolina,” stated Wendell Price, interim director of DAODAS. “Our state spends more than $855 million on tobacco-related healthcare costs each year. The longer our youth stay away from tobacco, the greater chance they’ll stay tobacco-free for life. I am really proud of the partnership between law enforcement, local communities and prevention partners around the state that enables me to announce that we’ve once again met our goal and continued the downward trend.
“This year in South Carolina, only 15.5 percent of our state’s youth ages 14 to 17 were successful in their attempts to purchase cigarettes, down from 17.1 percent in 2001,” Price said. “This is the lowest rate ever documented since South Carolina first conducted the study. In 1994, the first year the study was conducted, 63.2 percent of the state’s underage youth were sold cigarettes as part of the study. The continuing downward trend we’ve seen is a testament to the partnership and collaboration between law enforcement, local communities and prevention partners. This success shows us that it really takes all of us working together to make a difference.”
South Carolina youth typically begin experimenting with smokeless or “spit” tobacco around age 11 and with cigarettes around age 12. Research shows that underage smokers are much more likely than nonsmoking teens to use alcohol and other drugs. This group also is much more likely to perform poorly in school, to cut classes, to drop out of school by the 10th grade, and to become involved in crime.
A number of agencies on the local and state levels are working together to reduce youth access to tobacco in South Carolina, many of which were represented at the news conference.
Jack Claypoole, executive director of LRADAC, The Behavioral Health Center of The Midlands, revealed that Richland and Lexington counties’ overall sales rates were both lower than the state average of 15.5 percent. Richland County’s rate for 2002 was 13.2 percent, up slightly from last year’s rate of 12.1 percent. Lexington County’s rate for 2002 was 11.8 percent, down from last year’s rate of 13.1 percent.
“We continue to be encouraged by the steady decline in youth access to tobacco in Lexington and Richland counties,” said Claypoole. “Our valuable partnerships with DAODAS, local law enforcement, retailers and parents enable us to directly impact the health and well-being of young people in our community through this important project.”
Chief Robert M. Stewart of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) added his support, stating, “The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is committed to reducing the use of tobacco products by our youth by limiting access through enforcement efforts. In 2002, SLED has already performed more than 1,000 compliance checks. Through partnering with other state agencies, local law enforcement and private entities, we will continue in our quest to serve the citizens of South Carolina.”
This year’s study took place during a 13-week period between January 2 and March 28, 2002, in 341 communities across all 46 counties of the state. Adult volunteer drivers accompanied the youth volunteers who participated in the study. The youth made 4,818 random, unannounced attempts to purchase cigarettes from convenience stores/gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores/pharmacies and discount stores, as well as through vending machines in restaurants, hotels and other establishments. Of these underage purchase attempts, 747 resulted in sales to minors.
Businesses located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina had the lowest rate of sales to minors (13.3 percent). Businesses located in the Upstate region, the Midlands region, and the Lowcountry region of South Carolina were more likely to sell cigarettes to underage youth (18.1 percent, 15.9 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively). Businesses in non-metropolitan counties were equally as likely to sell cigarettes to minors as businesses in metropolitan counties (15.9 percent vs. 15.3 percent).
DAODAS is the cabinet-level agency charged with ensuring the provision of quality services to prevent or reduce the negative consequences of substance use and addictions
The Prescription Drug Debate
March 19, 2002
By Rick C. Wade
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Prescription drugs have long been used effectively to better the quality of life of many Americans. However, recent events have brought to light the darker side of prescription medications - rampant misuse and abuse.
Both sides of the prescription drug debate have played out recently in South Carolina. The closing of a pain management clinic in Myrtle Beach amid accusations of improper prescribing of pain medication, specifically Oxycontin, alerted us to the dangers of prescription drugs. However, a recent article in The State newspaper highlighted the large number of South Carolinians who depend on prescribed medications such as Ritalin and Lipitor for a healthy lifestyle. When used appropriately, prescription drugs play a vital role in the health of many Americans.
However, prescription drug abuse is a growing problem nationally and in the state of South Carolina. In fact, the illegal sale of prescription drugs is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. The illegal diversion of prescription drugs occurs in a variety of ways, by all segments of our population, in all neighborhoods, and in all workplaces. Understanding that prescription drugs are every bit as addictive and abused as illicit drugs, is sometimes difficult to comprehend.
The statistics on the abuse of prescription drugs makes things more clear. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 9 million Americans use prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Among adolescents, prescription drugs rank second in overall abuse among 12- to 14- year-old kids and the improper use of medication kills more than 125,000 Americans each year.
The reality is prescription drugs are legal. They are easy to obtain and often, people misuse and abuse what they find in their own medicine cabinets.
Proper use of prescription medication can ensure that you and your family avoid complications, including death, from these drugs. The following tips can guide you in using prescription drugs appropriately:
Faith Community Comes Together for Statewide Luncheon
March 19, 2002
~Father George Clements to Address Faith and Substance Abuse~
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Leaders from South Carolina’s faith community will gather in Columbia today to attend a FaithWorks luncheon featuring Father George Clements, founder of One Church-One Addict Inc., in an effort to enhance collaborative relationships between faith organizations and the statewide alcohol and drug abuse system.
Launched in January 2000, FaithWorks strives to create an infrastructure among the various faith-based organizations in South Carolina to increase awareness and promote collaboration with alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services. This initiative is also charged with increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS within the state's faith community. Through technical assistance, FaithWorks provides consultation regarding local needs assessments, program development, implementation, evaluation and skill development.
Keynote speaker for the luncheon, Father George Clements, is an internationally known humanitarian, responsible for building successful coalitions in support of economic and social justice. Since 1993, he has been developing and implementing One Church - One Addict, Inc, a project that recruits faith communities to participate with health care and educational agencies in supporting recovering addicts. Since the program’s inception, more than 1000 churches in 35 states have become involved.
“The faith community has a vital role in the war on drugs,” stated Rick C. Wade, director of DAODAS. “Studies over the last several years consistently show that religion – Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim – is a key factor in giving our children moral values and the strength to say no to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.”
FaithWorks is designed for members of faith-based communities -- both professionals and laity -- and prevention professionals. The luncheon will address the need for substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment professionals to unite with faith communities and faith organizations throughout the state.
DAODAS is the cabinet-level agency charged with ensuring the provision of quality services to prevent or reduce the negative consequences of substance use and addictions.
When Mom or Dad Does Drugs or Drinks Too Much
February 8, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. - He could be your neighbor’s child. She could be your little girl’s best friend. They look like regular, fun-loving kids. But behind those sweet young faces they have a secret, one they’re not talking about - Mom or Dad uses illicit drugs or drinks too much.
When children grow up in a household with a substance-abusing parent they can develop problems that last a lifetime. They are at risk for depression and anxiety, often lack social skills and are more likely to develop substance abuse problems than children who don’t have a drug-dependent parent.
Children of substance abusers may also feel isolated, embarrassed or afraid to bring friends home. Experts say these kids need caring adults to help them, maybe just to talk, to let them know they’re not being disloyal to their family by talking. Trusted adults (such as relatives, friends, teachers, coaches or school nurses) can help children of substance abusers feel less alone and unloved and confused by their parent’s actions. These caring adults can help kids learn that their parent’s drug use is not their fault, they can’t cure it or make it better.
Adults can spot troubled kids by being aware of signs like withdrawal, tardiness at school, fluctuating academic or other performance, and/or physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches with no apparent cause. Sometimes just talking about the problem at home or school is enough for a child. Other times kids need help through a support group or individualized counseling. One 12-year-old girl in a support program for children of substance abusers said, “Group is like a family to me. I’m safe there and it’s filled with young people who understand. Each time they remind me that it’s not my fault and give me hope.”
Adults who help a child of a substance abuser offer a lifeline that can last a lifetime.
For more information contact your local alcohol or drug abuse authority or call THE DRUGSTORE Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-942-DIAL.
National Report Highlights Adolescent Drug Use in South Carolina
January 29, 2002
~Marijuana Use by Teens More than Doubles~
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The numbers are out and it’s not good news for South Carolina. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its latest Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) report which identifies underlying trends in substance abuse and treatment around the country from 1994 through 1999.
Nationally, admissions for marijuana use grew from 43 percent of adolescent admissions in 1994 to 60 percent in 1999. In 1999, about half (51 percent) of adolescent marijuana admissions were referred to treatment through the criminal justice system. Among all admissions to substance abuse treatment for marijuana in 1999, more than half (57 percent) first used marijuana by the age of 14, and 92 percent by the age of 18.
As bleak as the national picture is, it’s even worse here in South Carolina. The national admission rate for marijuana abuse increased from 69 per 100,000 persons aged 12 and over in 1994 to 103 per 100,000 in 1999. However, in South Carolina the 1999 rates were more than double those rates in 1994. The state admission rate for marijuana abuse increased from 57 per 100,000 persons to 118 per 100,000.
“The good news from this report is that people are seeking treatment for their addictions in our state,” commented Rick C. Wade, director of the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS). “However, we can’t overstate the problems that face our children. It is imperative that we all work together – treatment providers, educators, the criminal justice system, social services – to get these children the help they need.”
"Substantive, stronger partnerships between agencies at the state and local level are needed to support these children and their families,” said Dr. George Gintoli. “I agree with Director Rick Wade that we need to help every child in South Carolina succeed."
On a more positive note, South Carolina received mention concerning cocaine abuse admissions. National trends indicated stable or declining admission rates for cocaine abuse. During the period from 1994 through 1999, rates declined by more than 25 percent in South Carolina from 168 admissions per 100,000 persons to 121 admissions in 1999.
DAODAS is the cabinet-level agency charged with ensuring the provision of quality services to prevent or reduce the negative consequences of substance use and addictions.