FaithWorks is an initiative to assist approved funded coalitions in developing and coordinating statewide training events that will increase the capacity of faith communities to establish partnerships that will assist in providing prevention activities to address both  the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and HIV/AIDS.

In January 2000, DAODAS, in collaboration with its statewide network of county alcohol and drug abuse authorities, created a new and exciting initiative called FaithWorks.  the purpose of FaithWorks is to create an infrastructure among the various faith-based organizations in South Carolina and to increase awareness and promote collaboration with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services and strategies.  This initiative is also charged with increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS within the state's faith community.  Through technical assistance, FaithWorks provides consultation regarding needs assessments, program development, implementation, evaluation, and skill development.

FaithWorks funds faith/community based coalitions across the state so as to create a framework of regional faith communities with the goal of implementing alcohol, tobacco and other drug, and HIV / AIDS prevention strategies through spiritual perspectives.

The FaithWorks Faith Community Liaison can assist communities in obtaining information on the following FaithWorks initiatives / monthly awareness events.

•  Celebrate Recovery Ministry
• Prison Ministry
• Youth Ministry
• Construction Ministry
• Faith-based After School Programs
• Treatment Works Month in September 2005
• Red Ribbon Week in October 2005
• Children (s) Sabbath events in October 2005
• Great American Smoke Out in November 2005
• World Aids Day in December 2005
• The Black Church Week of Prayer in March 2006
• Kick Butts Day in April 2006
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Month in May 2006
• National Day of Prayer in May 2006
• National HIV Testing Day in June 2006

Researchers have found that students whose families were actively involved in the faith community were significantly less likely to choose friends who drink alcohol or use marijuana, cocaine, crack, or amphetamines.

The faith community is a largely untapped resource in the fight against alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, crime, sexually transmitted diseases, and other high-risk behaviors.

South Carolina's faith community, without a doubt, is one of the most powerful and influential institutions that impacts positive change in today's society.

South Carolina's faith community includes --but is not limited to -- the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths.  FaithWorks seeks to work with all members of the state's faith communities.

The faith community has an unmatched ability to effectively communicate with its constituency. In fact, many past success stories in prevention have include dthe faith community as a primary partner.

"This institution (faith community) is more trusted by the public than any other institution today.  It is a moral fortress mankind has turned to and relied on when o9verwhelmed in times of crisis."                        

                                                                     -Father George Clements                          Catholic Priest and auther of "Love the Addict, Hate the Addiction"

For more information regarding FaithWorks, contact the Faith Community Liaison,

Sara Broxton at (803) 541-1245 ext. 248. 

                                                    Axis I Center of Barnwell

                                                    Attn. Sara Broxton

                                                   1644 Jackson Street

                                                   Barnwell, SC 29812

Statewide Contact Person:

Harry Prim

South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 215

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

(803) 896-1199

hprim@daodas.state.sc.us,