Products marketed as “mood,” “focus” or “energy” boosters — capable of producing intoxicating and addictive effects — are being sold in gas stations and retail stores across Kershaw County, ALPHA Behavioral Health Center staff told county leaders in January, prompting council discussion about regulation, public safety and youth exposure.
Kershaw County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 to adopt an ordinance regulating the sale of so-called “gas station drugs,” including nitrous oxide and kratom. The measure restricts purchases to those 21 and older and requires retailers to keep the products behind counters or in locked areas, with violations carrying fines of up to $500, 30 days in jail or both. Councilman Russell Brazell said the action adds needed “guardrails” to protect youth, while prevention specialists warned the substances carry addiction and overdose risks, especially when mixed with opioids. The ordinance took effect immediately.
Previous Discussion: January County Council Meeting
“These substances … are being sold casually in our gas stations,” said LeAnna Adams, opioid abatement coalition director for Kershaw and Lee counties, during a presentation to Kershaw County Council. “You may not know about them or have walked past them while you’re buying your snacks or gas without even realizing.”
The products, often referred to by prevention specialists as “gas station drugs,” can include hemp-derived THC drinks and edibles, kratom and concentrated kratom alkaloids, synthetic or unregulated pharmaceuticals and inhalants. Many are labeled as dietary supplements or wellness products.
ALPHA staff said the issue surfaced during school prevention visits.
Jessica Berry, ALPHA’s prevention director, said students repeatedly asked educators about a product known as Galaxy Gas — a nitrous oxide inhalant discussed online.
“We didn’t know,” Berry said. “We were like, ‘Let’s get back to you.’”
To keep up, staff began conducting structured “environmental scans” of local retailers, documenting packaging, placement and marketing to understand what students were encountering in the community.
“You’re not looking for these products, but they’re right there,” Adams said.
Staff said they now regularly see intoxicating substances packaged to resemble everyday items, including drink-mix packets, syrup-style additives and energy-shot bottles.
All products presented before Kershaw County Council in the presentation are available for sale in Kershaw County, Adams said.
“I know because I’ve personally seen them as we were conducting our environmental scans,” she said.
Why “legal” doesn’t always mean safe
Berry said consumer confusion is one of the biggest concerns.
Some hemp-derived THC products are marketed as legal alternatives, but can still produce positive workplace drug tests.
“Sometimes people will use a Delta-8 vape and think that they’re going to be OK,” Berry said. “And then test positive on a drug screen for THC and not understand why.”
In schools, staff said edibles create additional risk because of delayed effects. Students may take one, feel nothing, take more and then experience a medical crisis once the drug activates.
A fast-changing market
Adams told council the product landscape changes rapidly because manufacturers alter chemical formulas to avoid regulation.
“A simple chemical alteration can make it a completely new product,” she said.
Councilman Derek Schumate said that creates a legal challenge.
“Law enforcement’s always playing catch-up with this,” Schumate said, explaining that laws often target specific chemical compounds and slight changes can make substances technically different.
Councilman Danny Catoe, who requested the presentation, said the availability surprised him.
“This actually shocked me a little bit,” Catoe said. “This was so readily available in our stores.”
He said he heard testimony from treatment providers about people using retail products as “a legal way to stay high,” and others accidentally overdosing.
Placement and youth exposure
Adams urged council to consider location as well as legality, noting products are often placed near registers or alongside everyday drinks.
“When products with psychoactive effects are being sold near schools, parks and youth-centered spaces, exposure increases and use becomes normalized,” she said.
Councilman Russell Brazell said many people mistake the products for harmless CBD.
“This is a different animal completely,” Brassel said. “These drugs have been mutated, manipulated and inappropriately marketed toward our youth.”
Treatment providers already seeing impact
ALPHA Center Director Mara Jones told council the organization is preparing to expand because demand for treatment services exceeds capacity.
“The unfortunate part about it is we have to expand because we are beyond capacity,” Jones said.
She said some people begin using products believing they are safe because they are sold in stores.
“People think it’s in a store, so it must be safe,” Jones said, describing patients seeking help after dependence developed.
She said treatment providers are still learning how to classify some of the substances clinically, reflecting how new the issue is.
Education as the first response
ALPHA staff said awareness remains the most immediate tool available.
They provide free presentations to schools, churches and civic groups and encourage residents to look more closely at retail shelves.
“I challenge each of you to walk in a vape shop or even your local gas station and really look at what’s there,” Adams told council. “You would be surprised what you didn’t notice before.”
Councilman Sammie Tucker said the information should be shared widely in the community and suggested partnering with churches.
Jones said the presentations are available at no cost.
“It only takes one call to the ALPHA Center,” she said.
To request more information or schedule a presentation, contact LeAnna Adams at ladams@alphacentersc.com.
