SC State Counseling & Self Development Center awarded $195,000 state substance abuse grant
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s Counseling and Self-Development Center has been awarded a $195,000 state grant to bolster its student substance abuse recovery efforts.
The grant from the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services will establish a collegiate recovery program (CRP) at SC State titled “Bulldog Recovery.”
“We are looking forward to the positive impact this will have on the campus and surrounding area of Orangeburg, South Carolina,” she said.
Bulldog Recovery will organize recovery-focused advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and provide peer-based recovery support services.
A CRP is a college- or university-provided program that includes a supportive environment within the campus culture. Bulldog Recovery will reinforce the decision to engage in a lifestyle of recovery from a substance use disorder. It will be designed to provide an educational opportunity alongside recovery support to ensure that students do not have to sacrifice one for the other.
Bulldog Recovery will increase SC State’s capacity to provide recovery support services, peer support services, harm reduction services, public education, outreach, and advocacy for students in recovery, their friends and allies via a presence on campus and in the community.
“I am thrilled about this opportunity and extremely proud of the work being done by Mrs. Christian Jackson, director of the Counseling and Self-Development Center, and her staff,” said Dr. Tamara Jeffries-Jackson, SC State vice president for student affairs. “We will continue to pursue external and internal opportunities that bolster student services to meet the needs of our students.”
Bulldog Recovery will work with other entities on and off campus, including but not limited to:
- Brooks Health Center: SCSU's campus health services will play a vital role in providing medical and counseling support for students struggling with substance use. They can contribute to prevention, early intervention, and ongoing care.
- The Counseling and Self-Development Center: The student counseling center will offer individual and group counseling services for students dealing with substance abuse issues. They will also provide resources for stress management, coping skills, and addiction recovery.
- Recovery Support Groups: Establish or collaborate with existing on-campus recovery support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. These groups provide peer support and will be a valuable resource for students in recovery.
- Community-Based Recovery Organizations: Partner with local and regional organizations that specialize in addiction recovery, such as the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) or local recovery centers. These organizations will provide external expertise and resources.
- Established CRPs: There are established CRPs in the state that will help with the networking and collaboration efforts during the development of a CRP on the SC State campus.