54-38-01. Definitions

54-38-01. Definitions In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires: 1. "Alcoholic" means any person who chronically and habitually uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that the person has lost the power of self-control with respect to the use of such beverages, or while chronically or habitually under the influence of alcoholic beverages, endangers public morals, health, safety, or welfare. 2. "Alcoholism" means the pathological condition attendant upon the excessive and habitual use of alcoholic beverages. 3. "Department" means the department of health and human services. 4. "Drug abuse" means the use of drugs solely for their stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect upon the higher functions of the central nervous system and not as a therapeutic agent prescribed in the course of medical treatment or in a program of research operated under the direction of a physician or pharmacologist. 5. "Drug dependent persons" means any person who has developed a state of psychic or physical dependence, or both, upon a drug following administration of that drug upon a repeated periodic or continuous basis. 6. "Patients" means persons who are under the supervision or care of the department.