10 February 2023
The newest numbers from the state’s prospect health agency show the 25% increase in overdose fatalities in 2021 – most of them from fentanyl. COLUMBIA, Ersus. C. — South Carolina’s top health agency provides released the latest details concerning a heartbreaking statistic within the state that highlights an increase within drug overdose deaths. The particular South Carolina Department of Health insurance and Environmental Control announced upon Friday that the state, such as much of the country, has noticed an “alarming increase” within drug overdose deaths. The information shows a 25% embrace drug overdose deaths through 1, 734 in 2020 to 2, 168 within 2021 – an increase associated with 430 people. DHEC reviews that this compares to 573 medication overdose deaths reported within South Carolina overall roughly ten years earlier in 2012. Leading these types of deaths was fentanyl which usually accounted for 1, 100 fatalities in 2020 and one, 494 in 2021 — a 35% increase. The particular dangerous synthetic opioid right now accounts for more than two-thirds of most drug overdose deaths within South Carolina, DHEC reports. Plus, according to the director of the Sc Department of Alcohol as well as other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), lots of people may not know they’re coming in contact with the drug until it might be too late. “Other drugs are now being laced with fentanyl – without the user’s knowledge – which can cause a fatal overdose even in a small quantity, ” Sara Goldsby said in the statement released on Fri. Goldsby stressed this as being a reason to have the overdose medication naloxone on hand for anyone that has the potential to come into connection with fentanyl – even if accidentally. The drug is effective at reversing drug overdoses from all other drugs as well, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, and morphine, if administered in time, wellness officials said. Naloxone can be obtained without a prescription and insurance providers and Medicaid may also protect the cost. In the wake from the troubling rise of medication overdose deaths in Sc, state agencies are taking a chance to remind all residents there are resources readily available to help these addiction and the circumstances that may sometimes lead to drug abuse. “Mental health and substance use problems are at the forefront associated with public health concerns around the country, and we at DHEC – along with our many important partners – are devoted to stopping this disturbing pattern in drug overdose fatalities by connecting people with the assistance they need and deserve, ” DHEC Public Health Movie director Dr . Brannon Traxler mentioned in Friday’s statement. Significantly, Traxler said that part of the responsibility of the medical community as well as the public is to show there is no shame in obtaining help. We all have a part to play in ending the particular stigma surrounding substance make use of disorders and being a channel for those who need help but can not or won’t take individuals first steps to reach out, ” she added. Among the assets available is the South Carolina Division of Mental Health’s “SC Mobile Crisis” response system. The program can be reached anytime at 833-364-2274 or simply by email at mobilecrisis@scdmh. org. The agency also has an internet mental health screening including an anonymous questionnaire plus allows someone to connect with an expert counselor. Yet another resource may be the Substance Abuse and Mental Wellness Services Administration’s National Helpline which is free, confidential, plus available for individuals and households in both English and The spanish language at 1-800-662-HELP.