South Carolina is both a destination and a transshipment point for illicit drugs destined for the Southeast, as well as other areas in the United States. This report, conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center, describes and analyzes the drug threat to the State of South Carolina. An analytical judgment determines the threat posed by each drug type or category (i.e. heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs), taking into account the most quantitative and qualitative information on availability, demand, production or cultivation, and transportation and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society. Columbian, Mexican, Dominican, and African-American criminal groups transport most of the drugs to South Carolina from sources in foreign countries and from United States distribution centers. The most common means for transporting drugs are passenger vehicles, package delivery services, air packages or couriers, and commercial buses, trucks, and railways. In the urban centers of Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, violent crime associated with street gangs is a significant threat. Of the drugs discussed, the availability, distribution, and abuse of powdered and crack cocaine constitute the primary drug threats in South Carolina. However, the most readily available and widely abused drug in South Carolina is marijuana. The primary transporters of marijuana into the State are the Mexican criminal groups. In addition to cocaine and marijuana availability and use, methamphetamine is also considered a significant threat to the State and may be growing in popularity due to its lower cost and longer euphoric effect. Heroin distribution and abuse is limited mainly to the metropolitan areas of Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia. Used primarily by juveniles and young adults are the drugs GHB, MDMA, LSD, and Rohypnol. The overall drug availability and abuse in South Carolina are fairly stable with slight increases among certain drugs. An upward trend is being seen in treatment center admissions and drug arrests.