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Columbia, South Carolina, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Information
Columbia, South Carolina has a population of 116,278 with an average household size of 2.211 and is located in Richland County. The city gets its name from Christopher Columbus and is the state capital and largest city in South Carolina. The City is centrally located to the rest of the state at the confluence of two major rivers, the Saluda and the Broad rivers, which merge to form the Congaree.
The last two decades saw a revitalization of Columbia’s downtown. The city’s economy major employers include South Carolina state government, the Palmetto Health hospital system, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina.
Columbia features a number of museums, art galleries and performing art centers. Among its dozens of parks is Finlay Park which hosts festivals, to political rallies to road races and Easter Sunday services. Annual events include the South Carolina State Fair, Earth Day at Finlay Park and Main Street Jazz.
According to www.CityRating.com, Columbia tends to rate higher than the National Average in crime rates such as forcible rape, murder, robbery and burglary. Columbia continues to also have an ongoing drug problem.
Columbia South Carolina’s Drug Source
The DEA (The US Drug Enforcement Administration)2 reports that marijuana, the most prevalent illegal drug of abuse in South Carolina, primarily comes from Mexico by way of I-20. Interstate 26 and I-95 are popular routes for traffickers targeting Charleston, Florence and Myrtle Beach areas. African-American DTOs, with sources in Atlanta and Miami, are also suppliers of marijuana in the Charleston metropolitan area.
Cocaine and crack cocaine continue to be among the most widely abused drugs throughout the state. Though cocaine was the most seized illicit drug in the state in the last year, it was also the only illicit drug showing a decline in seizures compared to the previous year. This phenomenon is due to the combined efforts of domestic and international law enforcement entities impeding the movement of cocaine through Mexico into the U.S. Because it has become increasingly difficult to transport cocaine into the U.S., some traffickers are supplementing their income by selling other drugs such as marijuana, MDMA and prescription drugs.
Methamphetamine is a constant threat in the state of South Carolina. In the last year there as been a slight increase in methamphetamine seizures pivotal to the steady decrease documented between 2005 and 2007. This spurt, in spite of recently passed state and federal laws prohibiting the sale of methamphetamine HCl precursors, may be attributed to traffickers using alternative methods for processing methamphetamine or Ice.
Heroin is readily available in multi-gram quantities throughout South Carolina and is routinely packaged in “bindles” for distribution. Seizure statistics show a substantial increase in comparison to last year. Intelligence reveals that South American, Southeast Asian, and Mexican heroin is found in the state; however, there is no information that reveals which heroin type is most preferred by users. Mexican DTOs dominate heroin trafficking in South Carolina and are the primary sources of supply in the Columbia area.
Ecstasy (MDMA) is readily available in several cities in South Carolina, predominantly in the areas of Greenville and Columbia, and those cities along the Atlantic coast. Recent data indicates that Atlanta, Georgia, has become a significant hub for MDMA distribution to South Carolina. Typically, users are between the ages of 16 and 25 in the middle to upper-middle class economic bracket, and may be college students or young professionals. MDMA is found primarily at private parties, fitness facilities, clubs, school/college campuses, and associated “hang-outs.”
Current intelligence indicates that diversion of OxyContin®, hydrocodone products (such as Vicodin®), and pseudoephedrine continues to be a problem in South Carolina. Primary methods of diversion being reported are illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, and “doctor shopping” (going to a number of doctors to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical). Methadone, benzodiazepines, MS Contin®, and fentanyl were also identified as being among the most commonly abused and diverted pharmaceuticals in South Carolina. Schedule II drugs are reportedly taken in combination with Schedule III or IV drugs or the non-controlled Soma ®.
The Dwindling Spiral Will Continue
One thing is for certain, for a drug addict, the dwindling spiral will continue on its downward path unless action is taken. NOW is the time to do something before the addicted person winds up in jail or dead of an overdose or accident. Unfortunately past failed attempts to overcome addiction only further depress the individual so it comes as no surprise that fear and hesitation.
In the city of Columbia, there is an increased need for effective drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment centers as drug and alcohol use continues to escalate. Drug use erodes the quality of life not only for the user, but for their families and communities. Marriages and families are torn apart by mistrust, betrayal, fear and anger. Careers are ruined; companies lose millions of dollars in lost production time; cities and suburbs become degraded by the increased crime and violence that goes with drug trafficking and drug addiction. To do nothing for the addict, should not be an option. Something can be done; help is available.
The Damage to Society
In the State of South Carolina, and specifically in the city of Columbia, the effects of drug and alcohol abuse goes way past the the damage done to the addicts themselves. In terms of time lost on the job, to the health system inundated by illness and overdoses to communities harmed by the crime rate caused by addicts looking to steal anything in order to get their next fix, to families living a nightmare as they watch helplessly as their loved one goes further down the chutes. The rollercoaster of emotions, concern and anger seems like a never ending ride the abuser puts his friends and family through. Failures in the past with drug rehab centers further numb the addict to any hope of a future without drugs. It truly can appear hopeless.
Columbia and Area Drug-Related News Stories
»Pair sentenced for shooting cop who discovered hidden meth lab
»Erwin police find smoking meth lab remnants
»S.C. teacher charged after 13 pot plants found in closet
Treatment Center Changes Needed
Just in the state of South Carolina, there are many different types of drug rehab and treatment facilities. In the United States, there are thousands of drug rehab and treatment centers. Of course the common goal of all addiction treatment programs is to help end addiction for the individual. In South Carolina and across the United States, a variety of techniques and methods are being used. Some of the well known treatment methods in South Carolina include the twelve step method, relapse prevention, one-on-one counseling, drug rehabilitation, behavioral modification, cognitive therapy, support groups, sober living, therapeutic communities, AA , NA, inpatient, and outpatient drug rehab programs. There are many types of treatment centers available in South Carolina, so making a decision can be difficult. Unfortunately, many uninformed people in South Carolina go from rehab to rehab looking for the one that is right for them.
In South Carolina, there are many attempts being made to meet the needs of drug addicts, but statistics show success rates to be dismally low. What is needed and wanted is a drug treatment which not only handles physical addiction, but finds the underlying reasons why a person turns to drugs in order to free the person forever. What South Carolina addicts, alcoholics and their family, friends and loved ones need is a real and effective drug rehab treatment center. One where they are not on a time schedule or use other drugs to get the addict off the original drugs. The addict needs a reliable proven program where when they are done, their drug addiction is a thing of the past and they are now able to live full productive lives free of the stronghold of drugs or alcohol.
Choosing a Drug Rehab and Addiction Treatment Program
What should the goal be of a drug rehab center? Clean and sober for 30 days? While that might be a good short term goal, many treatment centers and 12 step programs still leave the drug addict fighting a continuing battle with addiction. Once an addict always an addict; or it’s a mental disorder they can do nothing about. When choosing a drug rehab center for yourself or a loved one from Columbia, South Carolina, it is important to become educated on the different types of drug rehab and what the end results are.
Should the Drug Rehab Location Matter When it Comes to Finding a Solution to Addiction?
Drug and alcohol addiction typically involves habitual routines in the environmental scope of the individual, i.e. the locations of their drug or alcohol use, the people they associated with in the activities of drug or alcohol use, etc. Drug or alcohol addiction is not just drug and alcohol use, it revolves around people and things in their immediate environment which help to trigger the addictive behavior. The abusers location & routines of drug and alcohol use further trigger drug and alcohol use. It is the constant and seemingly unstoppable drug or alcohol use and the hopelessness of day to day existence which perpetuates the problem and inhibits the native desire to stop ruining their life through the use of drugs and alcohol.
The above factor should not be over looked when considering a treatment center location. The first 2 weeks of treatment are always the most difficult & There many factors at work to make this so. In addition to what has been covered above, a more basic factor is this; people are creatures of habit.
Drug or alcohol addiction is not just drug and alcohol use, it revolves around people and things in their immediate environment which help to trigger the addictive behavior.
Even overwhelmingly positive & beneficial changes in life, such as the birth of a child or a new job does not guarantee the individual will have no thoughts of missing past negative activities such as, drug or alcohol use, drug or drinking acquaintances and other associated activities. Factually this is the normal reactive auto response of most human beings; to do what they are familiar with; good or bad. It is not really that they yearn for these things, it is just all that they have known for some time. If the abuser is close to home when overwhelming feelings manifest themselves, there is a good chance he or she will leave and get back to what they know, drug addiction, as it is not very far away . Due to these factors, attending a drug rehab close to home is seldom the correct treatment option for chronic drug or alcohol abusers. It is extremely therapeutic to be distanced from their former association with drug dealers, bars, the cabinet where the alcohol was kept, the cigar box where the cocaine was stored, etc. All these triggers make the task of sobriety seem insurmountable to the chronic drug or alcohol abuser as these triggers continuously stimulate a reminder of their past addictive behaviors.