Opioid Overdose Deaths Decline in the Carolinas: CDC Reports First Drop Since 2018

According to the CDC, opioid overdose deaths have decreased in North and South Carolina for the first time since 2018.

The Anderson County Coroner’s Office reported a decrease in unintentional drug overdose deaths. Last year, there were 89. There have been 18 this year.

According to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore, Narcan is the most effective way to save lives from drug overdoses.

“Our law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS workers continue to encounter an alarming amount of overdoses, but we are seeing more lives rescued by Narcan interventions. “The first responders are focused on getting there quickly and administering that,” Shore explained.

Even though drug overdose deaths are decreasing, the coroner stated that the work is not yet complete.

“I believe the Narcan program has saved lives, but it has not helped folks with these addictions. That’s our next step. “We need to focus now on funding organizations that assist the uninsured or underinsured,” added Shore.

Throughout the year, law enforcement and other community partners worked to raise awareness about the hazards of narcotics by offering free Narcan kits and CPR training.

“The point of having these discussions is that these medicines do not discriminate. It could hit anyone’s home, and I believe our entire community should be educated on it so that I don’t have to wait until it hits my house to figure out what to do,” said Bradley Saxton, founder and executive director of Bridge Center Recovery Center.

Shore expressed concern over the homeless population’s lack of access to healthcare.

“I think now we need to be focused on how we can get funding to the agencies that work to help these people in detoxification and recovery,” Shore stated.

Recovery centers reported a positive shift.

“I believe the number would be significantly higher if Narcan did not exist. I believe that Narcan has reversed many overdoses and given people a second chance at life, but I believe that without it, the number is likely to be higher,” Saxton added.

Officials say complimentary Narcan kits are available at the Anderson County Coroner’s Office.

The coroner’s office has received a $45,000 grant from the opioid settlement to raise awareness by speaking with schools, organizations, and at community events.