1. Colleton County’s Talk to Us Survey
Welcome to the conclusion of a 9 month project to gather and analyze substance use disorder and health data. The Colleton Keys coalition and the Colleton Commission and the SC DAODAS has provided timely support for this undertaking. The hope is that the information received from the community and other data sources will set the course for future community services and programs that address substance use disorders and health conditions associated with those disorders.
Needs Assessment
Results & Conclusions
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

2. Colleton County
Learning Objectives
Describe demographic and geographic characteristics of Colleton County
Discuss needs assessment process and results
Draw conclusions about next steps to make Colleton County a better place to live, work, and enjoy
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3. Demographic Characteristics
Colleton County
Demographic Characteristics
2014 Est. Colleton County Population
FY 15 Agency Client Population
37,771
8687 less than 18 years old
7025 older than 65
22059 Between 18-64
19,678 Female
18,092 Male
335 Unique Admissions in FY15
23= less than 18
12= greater than 65
129= 18 – 29
207=
135= Female 36.3%
236= Male 63.6%
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4. Demographic Characteristics
Colleton County
Demographic Characteristics
Colleton County
22,247 White
14,466 Black
1057 Other
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5. Demographic Characteristics
Colleton County
Demographic Characteristics
YTD 16 Agency Client Population
448 Admissions through March 21,2016
33% from all FY 2015
29 = 12 – 17 = 26%
187 = 18 – 29 = 0%
258 = 30 – 64 = 45%
12 = over 65 = 25%
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

6. Something to know and remember: There are nine organizations in the Lowcountry that provides direct care for substance use disorder patient/clients. Services and programs range from prevention to residential to sub-acute detox to outpatient detox for opioid withdrawal management.
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7. Original Survey Project Layout

8. Needs Assessment Sources
Talk 2 Us Community Survey = 362 responses
72% of 500 Goal
Survey made possible with help and support of the:
Colleton Keys Coalition on Substance Use Disorder
The SC Department on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services
The Colleton County Board and staff of the Colleton Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Special thanks to Press and Standard, Colleton County Library for being pick sites for completed surveys
Local Agency Client Information (MIS)
Other State and County Data Sources
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9. Colleton County
Survey Findings
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10. Survey Demographics Colleton County
Map includes percent of survey responses by resident zip code
Highest percentage in Walterboro (29488); (29435)
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11. Survey Demographics Colleton County Gender Male 87 Female 170 Age
13-16 y/o 5
17-20 y/o 9
21-44 y/o
172
45-64 y/o
142
65+ y/o 29
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12. Colleton County
Survey Demographics
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13. Community Picks of Most Abused Drugs of Choice vs Agency Admissions
Colleton County
Community Picks of Most Abused Drugs of Choice vs Agency Admissions
Survey Said…
Alcohol, All Kinds 40%
Marijuana 41%
Cocaine/Crack 37.3%
Amp/Meth 35.5%*
Other Opiates 35.1%**
Agency Admissions
Alcohol 44%
Marijuana 39%
Cocaine/Crack 23%
Amp/Meth 14%
Other Opiates 13%
It appears that the community is saying that persons using meth and opiates are not entering treatment services, at least not in Colleton County. While an increase in opioid substance use disorder admissions has increased over the last 12 months, more admissions are expected as a result of a statewide tightening of distribution of opioid type medications. Synonymous with that is the possible increase in heroin use, abuse, and addiction.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

14. Facts You Should Know *Benzodiazepines **Opiate Pain Medications
Colleton County
Facts You Should Know
*Benzodiazepines
Stimulate type drugs like amphetamines
5189 patients received
23,601 prescriptions
1,445,320 medications dispensed
In Colleton in FY2015
**Opiate Pain Medications
13,227 patients received
45,353 prescriptions
3, medications dispensed
In Colleton in Fy2015
It appears that the community is saying that persons using meth and opiates are not entering treatment services, at least not in Colleton County. While an increase in opioid substance use disorder admissions has increased over the last 12 months, more admissions are expected as a result of a statewide tightening of distribution of opioid type medications. Synonymous with that is the possible increase in heroin use, abuse, and addiction.
SC DHEC Report
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15. The Community Needs To Know More About
Colleton County
The Community Needs To Know More About
Heroin drugs (34.6%)
Street obtained pain medications (19.9%)
Cocaine (19.7%)
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

16. Colleton County
Community Survey Says!
Not enough being done in Colleton County around…
Meth drugs (27.5%)
Marijuana (25.4%)
Street obtained pain medications (24.7%)
Cocaine/crack drugs (24.2%)
Heroin drugs (19.4%)
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

17. Prescription Drugs Medications with highest awareness of misuse
Colleton County
Prescription Drugs
Medications with highest awareness of misuse
Percocet
Hydrocodone
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Medications with lowest awareness of misuse
Adderal
Loratab
Ambien
Ativan
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18. Colleton County
Prescription Drugs
Other medications of concern mentioned in survey comments included--
Sudafed
Methadone
Demerol
Ritalin
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19. The Drug Marijuana Colleton County is…
not prepared (50% vs. 18.4%) to deal with legalization of medical marijuana as it plays out in SC legislature.
not prepared (54.1% vs. 14.7%) to deal with legalization of recreational marijuana as it plays out in other states
not prepared (50.9% vs. 14.2%) to deal with the health and safety concerns for those who use marijuana
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20. General Community Attributes
Colleton County
General Community Attributes
Reported Strengths
Reported Challenges
Educational (26.05) and recreational (25.9%) opportunities are better now than in the past.
56.3% reported Job opportunities were a challenge
53.5% reported a need for Mental health programs
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21. General Community Attributes
Colleton County
General Community Attributes
Other Reported Needs
Domestic violence initiatives– 52.7%
Educational opportunities- 51.8%
Treatment services for substance use disorders- 49.0%
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22. Colleton County
Domestic Violence
Top 3 perceived significant influencers on domestic violence
1. Past history of violent behavior in family (100%)
2. Uncontrolled use of alcohol and other drugs (84.1%)
3. Learned behavior in childhood (85.6%)
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23. Social and Economic Factors
Colleton County
Building A Culture of Health in Colleton County -County Health Rankings and Roadmaps-
Colleton County vs South Carolina
Quality of Life
Poor or Fair Health
Health Behaviors
Adult Smoking
Excessive Drinking
Alcohol Impaired Driving Deaths
Social and Economic Factors
Unemployment
Children in Poverty
Physical Environment
Severe Housing Problems
Long Commute to Work
20%
16%
24%
20%
11%
14%
35%
42%
7.6%
9.5%
27%
39%
19%
16%
51%
31%
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24. Colleton County
Quality of Life
42.2% says QOL isn’t improving fast enough or is poor. 4.1% says QOL is better than ever.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

25. Conclusions Top issues Top strengths
Colleton County
Conclusions
Top issues
Quality of life in general is an issue in Colleton County
Introduce health and wellness practices in behavioral health programs and services
Need to increase awareness of dangers of misusing prescription medications and other illegal drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine.
Top strengths
Strong participation from schools that support prevention and counseling services to youth.
Strong participation from criminal justice system to reduce youth access to tobacco and alcohol through regular compliance checks at retail business’
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26. Conclusions Top issues Top strengths
Colleton County
Conclusions
Top issues
Continue to recognize that beverage alcohol remains the number one legal drug of choice.
Continue to reduce access to beverage alcohol by youth.
Increase awareness that marijuana remains illegal and impacts health as well as maturation of youth and adults.
Top strengths
Growing interest in healthcare providers combating spread of opioid type medications.
Growing strategies to protect children and families from impact of substance use disorders and other trauma.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

27. From Transition To Transformation
Colleton County
From Transition To Transformation
The Colleton Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse is in a state of transition.
From providing residential bedded programming to pregnant and parenting women in FY 14
With 11 staff members to zero
To an outpatient only service delivery system in FY15.
With 12 total staff members
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28. More Conclusions: From Transition To Transformation
Colleton County
More Conclusions: From Transition To Transformation
From a schedule based format to more of an on-demand approach to patient/client engagement
From relying on recurring state and federal funds to support programs and services to more self pay and third party payments for services received.
From treating only select populations to diversifying services and programs to meet the needs of multiple client populations.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

29. More Conclusions: From Transition To Transformation
Colleton County
More Conclusions: From Transition To Transformation
From limited evidence based substance use disorder service practices to broader client expectations from the standpoint of health and wellness.
From working with a few community partners to working collaboratively with local healthcare professionals and practices to identify and treat chronic illnesses such as substance use disorders and more especially, opioid substance use disorders.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

30. From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors
Colleton County
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

31. Transformation Practices
Prevention Strategies
Information dissemination specifically towards:
Heroin, Available street medications, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Marijuana, Oxycontin
Information dissemination on high risk behaviors associated with substance use disorders
HIV TB
Hep C
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

32. Transformation Practices
Treatment – Intervention Strategies
Expand behavioral health services for primary healthcare providers
Provide access to Medication Assisted Treatment for patient/clients who have opioid misuse and abuse diagnosis
Provide access to better health and wellness messaging for all patient/clients particularly in the areas of HIV, Tb, Hep C
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

33. Transformation Practices
Treatment-Intervention Strategies
Enhance Partnership with Department of Social Services
Help protect children and families from being de-stabilized due to substance use disorders and other traumas
Enhance Service Delivery System to include expanded levels of care.
In the absence of an IOP, develop more intense traditional outpatient service opportunities.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

34. Transformation Practices
Administrative Strategies
Create an impression that reflects an environment of confidentiality, safety, health, and helpful information.
Patient/client engagement is critical to their overall treatment outcomes and must be an ongoing condition during all services and programs.
From Closing Gaps to Opening Doors

35. Things You Should Know Colleton County
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36. Colleton County
Contact Information
Colleton Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
1439 Thunderbolt Drive Walterboro, SC  29488 Phone: Fax:  
HOURS OF OPERATION
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5pm
STAFF CONTACTS
Ronald Rickenbaker, Director,
John Sells, Prevention Specialist:
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