The Alcohol and Other Drug Alternative Program for Teens (ADAPT) is a FREE service offered through the Charleston County School District’s Substance Use Support Services..
The program provides support and resources for students, families, and community members to address the negative effects of substance use. ADAPT provides prevention and intervention through the use of evidenced based services in the following areas:
Information dissemination
Prevention and education
Environmental strategies
Problem Identification
Referral to Treatment (collaboration with MUSC, Charleston Center, WakeUp Carolina, and other substance use intervention/treatment programs)
The program is utilized for educational support only and not as a licensed and /or accredited agency. It does not take the place of an accredited substance use program or treatment. Confidentiality will be maintained unless a student is engaging in behaviors that are harmful to themselves or others. Any known information about distribution or other criminal behavior will be reported to Administration.
Reduce the number of out-of-school suspensions related to substance use
Prevent or delay the onset of substance use
Enhance students' problem-solving skills
Increase students’ knowledge of the negative consequences of substance use
Re-establish School Connectedness and relationships with family and peer groups
Reinforce non-use norms and attitudes among peers
The National Institute on Drug Abuse & the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report that students start experimenting with substances in middle school and the number of students using substances increases through 12th grade.
There is a common misconception that addiction is a choice and that people can stop using drugs when they want to. Addiction is complex. People develop addictions because of many reasons, including:
🔶Traumatic & stressful life events 🔶Environmental factors
🔶Mental well-being (emotions, thoughts, feelings, and mental illness)
🔶Genetics and biology
Grades 7 through 10 are a key developmental period for the initiation of illicit drug use. Data shows that most 12th graders who have ever used a substance first used in 7th-10th grade. Below are some additional data points to help us better understand what students may be facing. ALL DATA is UPDATED
Alcohol
Alcohol is the drug most likely to have been initiated by the end of 6th grade.
Marijuana/Cannabis
43.7% of teens have tried marijuana in their lifetime
Vaping Cannabis
62.8% of 12th graders who used marijuana in the last year consumed marijuana via vaping.
Electronic Cigarettes/Vaping
In 2024, 5.9% of middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use, which translates to about 1.63 million students.
Our team helps students and families navigate needs and interventions to encourage the reduction/elimination of the use of substances.
Education Opportunities: Click each flyer below to learn more.
Charleston Center Support Requests
Cannabis Education Program
Tobacco Education Program
For more information regarding ADAPT, please visit our WEBSITE.
Program Contact Information:
Linda Allen Ballinger, M.A. Clinical Counseling
Prevention and Intervention Coordinator -ADAPT Coordinator
(843) 402-7878
linda_ballinger@charleston.k12.sc.us