(A) The Office of Substance Use Services shall arrange for the exchange of information between governmental officials concerning the use and abuse of controlled substances. (B) Results, information, and evidence received from the Department of Health and Environmental Control relating to the regulatory functions of this chapter and Article 3 of Chapter 53, including results of inspections conducted by such department, may be relied upon and acted upon by the Office of Substance Use Services in conformance with its administration and coordinating duties under this Chapter and Article 3 of Chapter 53. (C)(1) The Office of Substance Use Services shall: Plan, coordinate and cooperate in educational programs for schools, communities and general public designed to prevent and deter misuse and abuse of controlled substances; (2) Promote better recognition of the problems of misuse and abuse of controlled substances within the regulated industry and among interested groups and organizations; (3) Assist the regulated industry, interested groups and organizations in contributing to the reduction of misuse and abuse of controlled substances; (4) Consult with interested groups and organizations to aid them in solving administrative and organizational problems; (5) Evaluate procedures, projects, techniques, and controls conducted or proposed as part of educational programs on misuse and abuse of controlled substances; (6) Disseminate the results of research on misuse and abuse of controlled substances to promote a better public understanding of what problems exist and what can be done to combat them; (7) Assist in the education and training of state and local law enforcement officials in their efforts to control misuse and abuse of controlled substances; (8) Encourage research on misuse and abuse of controlled substances; (9) Cooperate in establishing methods to assess accurately the effects of controlled substances and to identify and characterize controlled substances with potential for abuse; (10) Cooperate in making studies and in undertaking programs of research to (a) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems, equipment and devices to strengthen the enforcement of Sections 44-49-10, 44-49-40 and 44-49-50 and Article 3 of Chapter 53; (b) Determine patterns of misuse and abuse of controlled substances and the social effects thereof; and (c) Improve methods for preventing, predicting, understanding and dealing with the misuse and abuse of controlled substances. (D) The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities may enter into contracts with public agencies, institutions of higher education, and private organizations or individuals for the purpose of conducting research, demonstrations, or special projects which bear directly on misuse and abuse of controlled substances. (E) The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities may enter into contracts for educational and research activities without performance bonds. (F) The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is authorized to accept gifts, bequests, devises, contributions, and grants, public or private, including federal funds, or funds from any other source for use in furthering the purpose of the Office of Substance Use Services. The Office of Substance Use Services is authorized to administer the grants and contracts arising from the federal program entitled the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986, P.L. 99-570. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.
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