Columbia - Drug Use Statistics? (Welcome: apartments, neighborhoods, universities)

[AMD626]

Hello everyone! I'm from Baltimore, MD, soon to be moving to the beautiful state of SC for graduate studies at the U of SC! I was just wondering if anyone could give me an honest opinion on the state of drug use in Columbia, specifically heroin. I've been told SC has a problem with methamphetamine use, but coming from Baltimore, the heroin problem is of central concern to myself and my family.

So lay it on me, what's everyone's experience in this? Dealers on every street corner? The problem exists but only if you truly search for it? Certain areas to avoid?

Thanks guys!

[scyogi]

Not aware of a 'herion' problem in SC. You will find Meth in the more rural/poverty areas of the SC. Just last year in Augusta, Ga (just over the state line) they did have a Meth lab in a REALLY nice neighborhood. My son is at USC and we are former residents of the state and mostly you here kids being involved with pot, some coke. I would say drug use in SC is like any other state.

[AMD626]

Haha, unfortunately, when you say "like any other state," I'm not really sure what you mean. I've lived my entire life in Maryland, which boasts the greatest number of narcotic addicted citizens in the country (anybody watched The Wire lately? It's not a dramatization..) So I'm not really sure how life is outside of a place where, when you drive through the city you can spot dope dealers on every corner from your car...

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by AMD626

Hello everyone! I'm from Baltimore, MD, soon to be moving to the beautiful state of SC for graduate studies at the U of SC! I was just wondering if anyone could give me an honest opinion on the state of drug use in Columbia, specifically heroin. I've been told SC has a problem with methamphetamine use, but coming from Baltimore, the heroin problem is of central concern to myself and my family.

So lay it on me, what's everyone's experience in this? Dealers on every street corner? The problem exists but only if you truly search for it? Certain areas to avoid?

Thanks guys!

I live in the inner city and I don't see or know of much of a heroin problem. I think a lot of the methamphetamine problem, believe it or not, is in rural areas and the biggest problem in the Columbia area is probably crack amongst the poor and cocaine amongst the wealthy. If there are dealers on every corner I am definitely oblivious to it because I haven't noticed anything like that.

Welcome to USC and Columbia; what part of town will you be living in?

[Tommy1981]

I suppose it would be worth mentioning our State Treasurer was recently indicted on Cocaine possession. He was ratted out by his dealer, and its likely it was a politically motivated prosecution, but none-the-less a public official was involved in Coke.

I'm sure there are drugs around. There's one corner near my apartment where we see an awful lot of cars "broken down". Its possible and probably likely these are drug deals, but I don't stop and ask, and they don't advertise. I don't really have any interaction with drug users or drug dealers, and I'd say thats fairly typical. I'm sure some areas of town and students at the local universities would probably have a higher percentage of folks that would say they know somebody who uses or deals drugs, but overall I'd say its much less of a problem here than it is in bigger cities.

[AMD626]

Thanks for the info folks, I appreciate the input!

I'm not exactly sure which end of town I'm going to be living in right now - I'm headed down next week to check out a few apartments. I posted another thread about the apartments I'm checking out, any input on that would also be greatly appreciated!

[sandlapper]

Are you looking to open in on a new market or something?LOL

[AMD626]

ha, no, sadly someone in my family has a problem with it. i'm trying to gauge what exactly the availability is before we move...though nothing could really be worse than baltimore.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by AMD626

ha, no, sadly someone in my family has a problem with it. i'm trying to gauge what exactly the availability is before we move...though nothing could really be worse than baltimore.

I'm sure it can be found if one looks for it, but I've never been confronted with the availability, nor have I noticed drugs blatantly being sold on the street. I'm sure there are a few neighborhoods(that most people avoid) where drugs are sold on the street, though.

[ThaGoodLife]

Originally Posted by AMD626

Hello everyone! I'm from Baltimore, MD, soon to be moving to the beautiful state of SC for graduate studies at the U of SC! I was just wondering if anyone could give me an honest opinion on the state of drug use in Columbia, specifically heroin. I've been told SC has a problem with methamphetamine use, but coming from Baltimore, the heroin problem is of central concern to myself and my family.

So lay it on me, what's everyone's experience in this? Dealers on every street corner? The problem exists but only if you truly search for it? Certain areas to avoid?

Thanks guys!

Great Question ! im from bmore too although