A South Carolina Collaboration to Provide Data Analysis, Technical Assistance, and Training Opportunities
In response to the evolving addiction crisis impacting communities across the state, the S.C. Center of Excellence in Addiction was established by Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (now the S.C. Department of Public Health).
In an effort to combine and more efficiently apply expertise and resources to address opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders in the state, the Center of Excellence operates as one collaborative institution jointly owned and operated by the universities and state agencies. In 2023, the Center received discretionary sub-funding from the S.C. Opioid Recovery Fund Board, as well as a second year award in 2024.
When it comes to addressing substance use, South Carolina has special needs but also unique assets and opportunities. The three academic research centers and two state agencies house nationwide leaders in addiction research, prevention, treatment, and service delivery support. While collaborations among these universities and essential state agencies already exist, the Center of Excellence leverages specific addiction expertise for strong, centralized access to stakeholders statewide.
Learn More
- NEW! COE Needs Assessment Report: The COE conducted a quantitative survey of South Carolina's local leaders and community partners, as well as qualitative interviews with some participants. Details on the assessment, as well as recommendations that emerged from the findings, can be found in this report.
- COE Strategic Plan, 2024-25: This plan, developed with guidance from the Center's Advisory Board, outlines our approach to operations and growth over our inaugural two years.
- COE Experience and Background: A quick, top-line "resume" that provides descriptions of the strengths and experiences that our Leadership Team can leverage to help state agencies, policymakers, local leaders, and community partners.
- COE Advisory Board Report - March 2024: Our first six months of operations represented a critical time period for establishing the services and outputs of the Center, and this report details those.
- COE 2024 Annual Advisory Board Report: The follow up report details our first full year.
- COE One-pager: Our one-pager provides top line information about who we are, how we help, and how we are administered.
- FAQs: This document, created when the Center was established, addresses common questions.
- Leadership: Learn about the Center's Leadership Team, which includes representatives from each of our collaborating institutions.
- Advisory Board: Learn about who composes our external Advisory Board and see meeting materials.
