LRADAC Opens New Lexington County Facility

Lexington, SC - LRADAC held a ribbon cutting ceremony today for its new 11,000 square-foot facility on South Lake Drive that will provide increased space for expanded services in Lexington County.

LRADAC is the designated alcohol and drug abuse authority for Lexington and Richland Counties. The public, not for profit agency offers a wide array of prevention, intervention and treatment programs in locations convenient to residents of both counties. The agency has a budget of approximately $8 million and serves more than 4,500 clients per year. LRADAC's programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF); licensed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC); and certified by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS). Prevention and treatment staff members are professionals who are licensed, credentialed or privileged to provide services.

"This is an exciting day for residents of Lexington County," said Debbie Francis, LRADAC's President and CEO. "It has been our vision to have a facility in Lexington County that would allow us to be in close proximity to key service partners, in addition to providing us with greater space to expand our service delivery capabilities."

LRADAC worked closely with the Lexington County officials, local area Mental Health and Department of Social Services agencies when deciding to co-locate in the Red Bank Crossing complex. The new facility is located on Highway 6 in close proximity to I-20 providing easy access for clients, referring agencies and community partners. The building is convenient to Lexington Medical Center and public transportation bus lines.

"Today, we have a building that adds to the therapeutic environment and reflects the quality of services we provide," said Francis. "In addition, clients and families have greater access to key services that were not available at our previous Lexington location because of space constraints."

The new facility has incorporated increased space for expanded services. Clients needing to enroll in the Alcohol Drug and Safety Action Program (ADSAP) and Drug Court will be able to access these services at the new Lexington Facility. LRADAC's Community Services staff will have access to office space in the new facility putting them in greater proximity to the community groups, coalitions and schools in which they work. In addition, space was provided to expand LRADAC's Community Resource Center (CRC) to the Lexington site. The CRC is a lending library offering brochures, pamphlets, posters and videos and other free materials to the public. The CRC provides materials targeting a wide range of inter-related problems such as alcohol and other drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, and reducing norms which support negative behaviors.

The construction of the Lexington facility has been an important project for the Midlands by providing jobs for more than 75 individuals over the past nine months. LRADAC intentionally selected local architects LTC and Associates; local construction company Mashburn Construction; and a majority of the subcontractors and vendors from Lexington or Richland Counties.

 

The cost of the building is approximately $ 2 million which was secured through sale of the current LRADAC facility at 134 N. Hospital Drive and JEDA Bond funding.

"LRADAC's programs and services spread the message that there is hope and that substance abuse and addiction are preventable and treatable," said Francis. "Now we will be able to offer the Lexington community a facility that accommodates the wide array of the prevention, intervention and treatment services offered that will enhance the community's ability to address the multitude of issues arising from alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction."

LRADAC's staff will begin moving into the building mid-July.