Costing Every Man, Woman and Child Estimated $1,300 per year
Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis and other law enforcement officials have confirmed that a majority of all crimes are committed by individuals involving or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The fallout from addiction and drug abuse makes up a large portion of the workload of law enforcement, emergency medical personnel and facilities and is a burden on families and county taxpayers.
A study conducted by Tripp Umbach Healthcare Consulting, Inc. estimates that South Carolina spends more than $5 billion annually on substance abuse including criminal justice costs, social services, healthcare, loss of productivity and treatment.
The study estimated that Greenville County spends more than $503 million annually toward the costs associated with substance abuse, and that the cost prorated for each man, woman, and child is $1,300 annually.
According to the findings of the study, 60 percent of Greenville County residents live with or know someone with a substance abuse problem.
When Greenville County adults are seeking help with a substance abuse problem, they go to their church first, physician second and phone book third.
Seventy-three percent of Greenville County residents over age 12 responding to a household survey believe Jesus Christ is the answer to substance abuse and addiction.
“Treatment” for drug addiction is available through government agencies and private providers. Sadly, politically correct government agencies are not allowed to use Biblical solutions that have proven records of success.
After twelve years of service to people of Upstate South Carolina, Wisdom in Living Life Ministry has established a record of success and is on the verge of a dramatic expansion that will help deal with the problems of addiction without substitute drugs or other treatment.
To learn more about solutions to addiction, read the success story of a young man named Cliff beginning on Page 1 of this issue.