Ready for some irony?
According to our sources, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s choice to lead the state’s alcohol and drug abuse agency is himself a recovering alcoholic …
Bob Toomey (above), who was nominated by Haley to lead the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) last week, reportedly received treatment for an alcohol addition in 1985.
Reached by telephone on Tuesday evening, Toomey confirmed the reports.
“There is nothing untrue about that whatsover,” he said, adding that he has been in recovery for the last 25 years.
Sources close to Haley tell FITS that she was advised of Toomey’s treatment prior to making her decision – an account Toomey also confirmed.
“I’ve always been straight with everyone,” he said.
Toomey previously served as interim director of the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under Gov. Mark Sanford. Prior to that, he worked for the S.C. Retirement System, the S.C. Budget and Control Board and the State Department of Mental Health (DMH) – an agency Haley says she wants to merge with DAODAS.
DAODAS has already consolidated office space with DMH, which will save taxpayers an estimated $175,000 a year in rent (or at least it would if state lawmakers actually routed savings back to the taxpayers).
“Bob understands the importance of improving the quality of critical services – including prevention and treatment of substance abuse and addiction – to keep people out of our hospitals and prisons,” Haley said on Friday in announcing Toomey’s nomination.
Toomey has yet to be confirmed by the S.C. Senate, but we doubt that these revelations will hold up his confirmation. In fact, as our founding editor (himself a recovering alcoholic) noted, “the fact he’s been through something like that will probably make him a better director.”
Several Senators we spoke with agreed with that assessment.
“There’s a certain degree of empathy that goes with helping people who are struggling with something you have struggled with,” said S.C. Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort). “Plus, there’s only so much you can learn from a book.”
Prior to referring further questions to Haley’s office, Toomey told us that his personal recovery had taught him a great deal about the people he now seeks to assist.
“It’s more than just treatment and launching somebody back into society,” he said. “Support is critical, particularly in the early stages.”
DAODAS received $34.2 million in the budget ending on June 30 … including $6.5 million in state funds.
THE AGENCY …
SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services
THE RELEASE …
Haley nominates Toomey for DAODAS
By Soft Sigh from Hell January 18, 2011 at 7:34 pm
I’ll bet Gov. Haley does herself one better and puts a few polluters on DHEC’s board.
(But godspeed to Mt. Toomey. I wish him and his agency well and hope I never need it as others I know have.)
By Lewis January 18, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Who knows better? All reports on Bob is that he is a great guy and knows what he is doing. He should have been put over at LLR instead of the part timer.
By MIKE January 18, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Bob Toomey is an intelligent, caring and capable individual. He met his personal problem head on and dealt with it. There is probably another “AA” you need to call and that is ‘Assholes Anonymous.’
By fitsnews January 18, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Mike-
We don’t disagree … that Toomey is as you say or that Sic Willie is an asshole. But did you read the post?
Seriously … we agreed w/ you.
-FITS
By Jackie January 18, 2011 at 9:42 pm
First logical decision I’ve seen Nikki make so far.
By NoName January 18, 2011 at 10:12 pm
In the Ten Steps you eventually learn that folks saying bad things about you is really not all that relevant to what you have to do to get along with a life without booze.
By Old Bike Dude January 19, 2011 at 7:18 am
Kyle Petty to head up the SCHP.
By Tee January 19, 2011 at 9:07 am
I think it is a great selection by Nikki. Wish i could say the same about her PRT appointee…
By MajorC January 19, 2011 at 9:46 am
I previously worked for a Fortune 500 company that started its own substance abuse program and they picked a recovering alcoholic to head up the department. This old retired Marine did a stellar job for over 20 years and with this program he helped hundreds of people with their problems. So, I say excellent choice! None better!
By Huhhh??? January 19, 2011 at 10:11 am
God, I love it…when Obama says “empathy”, Republic Party types chortle and sneer.
Let, one of them say it and it becomes a noble concept…which of course it really is since it’s the old Golden Rule idea.
The hypocrisy of you people is astonishing.
By Mr. Ducks January 19, 2011 at 10:18 am
Well, it’s been since December 26 for me. Gotta start quitting sometime. And Toomey sounds like an inspired choice. Good call, Nikki.
By ChampySue January 19, 2011 at 10:56 am
Irony can be good, Mike, and I think that the point of this article is that in this case it certainly is.
By MajorC January 19, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Hmmmmm, ChampySue suddenly appears here at FITS and seems to be commenting on every post that involves a SC state agency. Maybe this site is like a pebble in the waters. It seems to bringing a lot of new posters or (im)posters to this site? Go figure…
By recovering alcoholic January 19, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I applaud Bob for acknowledging that alcohol is not for him. 25 YEARS AGO, holy shit dude, give the guy a break.
Furthermore, aren’t you a recovering alcoholic, Will?
I’m not so sure this is news worth sensationalizing.
By Norm Nav January 19, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Huhhh,
When Mr. Obama talks of empathy, he is telling us how to behave, not how he behaves, hence the chuckle and chortle. The hypocrasy is palatable.
By Godslayer January 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm
This is a classic example of a “nanny state” government agency that needs to be abolished.
By Roger da Wabbit January 19, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I’m beginning to wonder if any of you actually read the article or just the headlines. This was actually not an attack at all. The only part that is ridiculous is the self serving sanctimonious Senator Davis who appears to be a source and commenter for everything. I can’t pick up a copy of the Island Packet without his self serving op-eds every other day. Someone get this guy a muzzle.
By Fan of Bob January 19, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Governor,
Great choice…Bob Toomey is a great leader as well as a wonderful human being— I am proud to say I have known him for many years.
By sam January 19, 2011 at 5:36 pm
THE GAY COMMUNITY OF SC LOVES WILL FOLKS BECAUSE HE IS ONE OF US.
By Dean January 19, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I like Bob T a lot, and I was relieved to see that the post itself was supportive. But when I look back at your homepage, I’m still annoyed at the headline above his pic. I can’t easily put in words why it’s irritating. Seems smarmy.
By Dean January 19, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@Roger da wabbit, I think that’s what’s bugging me. Not everyone bothers to read more than a headline. So if the headline sounds like an attack, it might as well be. Which I think does a disservice to Bob, and for what? Doesn’t seem like it serves a purpose.
By fitsnews January 19, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Good forum here guys and gals (even you, Sam).
“Recovering Alcoholic,”
Read the article. We stated therein that our founding editor was a recovering alcoholic.
-FITS
By MajorC January 19, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Will has traded his alcohol addiction for an obsessive sexual fantasy addiction. This site is now 80% soft porn and 20% political commentary. He continues to push the envelope for NSFW. His collection of Hollywood cheesecake photos is phase Two in his compulsiveness. Phase One was his enormous collection of Playboy and Penthouse Magazines that he kept under his bed as a teenager. Phase Three is now beginning with his increased desire to post images for shock value. (pics of dildos, erect snow penis, and Kamasutra depictions of sexual acts.) Phase Four will be his downfall. Time frame? Hard to say. If his wife is a willing participant in all of this it may go on for sometime. Like Charlie Sheen, we will read about Mr. Folks strung out in some Hotel Patel with some sanjay. And then we can say with some sadness that we knew him when he had it all together. The writing is on the wall, one hundred thousand lemmings can’t be wrong.
By Scooter January 20, 2011 at 8:04 pm
I do not care if he a recovering addict. What I do care about is the total lack of comprehensive services for people in SC with active/recovering addictions. Many Insurance Companies do not pay for in-patient treatment. And 3 or 4 days at Richland Springs (or anywhere else) is not going to make one bit of difference in an addict’s life. There is nothing local that addresses these issues and it is costing our state lots of money, and it is costing these people their health and lives. No one is alone in their addiction. It is felt by all who love that person, or work for or with that person. We need better and more up to date treatment, and we need it NOW. Let’s not make fun of the new Director, but support him and pray he will be able to make things better for so many in our state. Remember, Addiction is a mental health issue. We don’t fault a person if they fall down and break a leg. We can not treat addicts with any less care.
By MajorC January 21, 2011 at 2:08 am
Here, here Scooter. I’ll drink to that! And never forget, AA is for quitters.
By Just Asking November 10, 2011 at 10:05 am
Preventative care is so much cheaper than what we pay out in incarcerations, wear and tear on the lives and emotions of families and victims of addiction-related crimes. Addiction is a medical problem, not a moral weakness. Treatment and prevention is expensive, but so are jails. I have heard it said that the largest mental health facilities we have as a country are our prisons. So true. Good for you, Will. For for South Carolina, Bob.