South Carolina Drug Statistics

South Carolina has a long and rich history, charm and an unmistakable feeling of home. This coastal state boasts incredible terrain, fertile soil and influential residents such as Dizzy Gillespie, Jesse Jackson and Vanna White. Though there may be disputes over sports teams, one thing every South Carolinian can agree upon is the fact that the most tantalizingly delicious food is here. Millions of constituents face issues with chemical dependency. Drugs and alcohol are an unfortunate part of many of South Carolina’s communities and several families struggle with the affects of drug abuse. Palm Partners Recovery Center provides comprehensive treatment programs for long term results. We can help you overcome your chemical dependency. Why waste any time? Call Palm Partners to start your journey now.

Data shows that those 26 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – alcohol and drug detox and rehab in South Carolina.  If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 803-542-9025. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

South Carolina is both a transit state and a distribution area for drugs in the eastern U.S. Most drugs are transported into the state via private and commercial vehicles from California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Texas and Mexico. Traffickers travel daily through South Carolina from the Southwestern Border to supply northeastern states with cocaine, marijuana, meth and heroin. Cocaine and meth are biggest threats. Mexican drug organizations are the primary wholesale suppliers of marijuana, cocaine and, to a lesser extent, meth.

Compared to other states

• Illicit drugs overall – moderately high for those 26 and older, average for those 18-25
• Cocaine – among the highest for those 26 and older, average for those 18-25
• Alcohol – among the highest for those 26 and older, moderately low for those 18-25
• Pharmaceuticals – average for those 26 and older, moderately low for those 18-25
• Marijuana – moderately low for those 18 and older

Source: SAMHSA’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, based on 2008-2009 annual averages. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A closer look

Cocaine

Primary drug of abuse, including crack. Traffickers have used containerized cargo at the Port of Charleston.

Alcohol

A very significant threat.

Marijuana

Most prevalent illegal drug. In addition to the marijuana brought from Mexico, BC Bud from Canada and locally grown marijuana are available, but to a much less degree. African-American drug organizations with sources in Atlanta and Miami are suppliers. Transport is via vehicles, tractor-trailers, commercial airlines, buses, trains and parcel services. Charleston, Florence and Myrtle Beach are target areas for highway transport.

Methamphetamine

A persistent threat, although manufacture is down. Mexico, California, Atlanta and local suppliers are the main sources. The primary traffickers are Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal.

Pharmaceuticals

OxyContin from pain management clinics a significant threat. In addition, hydrocodone products, pseudoephedrine, methadone, benzodiazepines and fentanyl are significantly abused. Sources are the illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers and “doctor shopping.”

Heroin

Less of a threat. Most of the users are concentrated in urban areas and coastal regions in the state. South American, Southeast Asian and Mexican are the types available. Mexican drug organizations are the primary sources for Columbia. African-American drug organizations control trafficking in Charleston.

Club drugs

MDMA (Ecstasy) easily available. Greenville, Columbia and cities along the Atlantic coast report abuse of the drug at private parties, fitness facilities, clubs, campuses and other places that young adults frequent. Atlanta is a significant hub for MDMA distribution in South Carolina. LSD, Rohypnol and ketamine are also appearing in nightclubs along the Atlantic coast and upstate.

Percentage of South Carolina population using/abusing drugs

¹ Age group is based on a respondent’s age at the time of the interview, not his or her age at first use.

² Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically. Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana include cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.

³ When the Perception of Great Risk in using marijuana or alcohol is low, use of marijuana or alcohol is high.

⁴ Binge Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.

⁵ Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in the 4^th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

⁶ Needing But Not Receiving Treatment refers to respondents needing treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol, but not receiving treatment at a specialty facility.

⁷ Major Depressive Episode is a period of at least 2 weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of the symptoms for depression as described in the DSM-IV.

Source: Condensed version of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004 and 2005, from SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies.