§ 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.