The Center for Disease Control predicts South Carolina will see another decline in fatal drug overdoses in 2024. It shows an estimated 33% decrease in deaths compared to 2023.
The national drop is estimated at about 30%, putting South Carolina above average in reducing drug overdose deaths.
In a statement, Interim Department of Public Health (DPH) Director Dr. Edward Simmer said, “Partners across our state have worked tirelessly to prevent overdoses and tackle substance misuse in the face of the opioid overdose epidemic. The data is starting to show the impact of these programs and efforts.”
2023 marked the first time South Carolina had a decline in overdose deaths since 2014, with a 6.1% decrease from 2022.
DPH Substance Use Prevention Unit Director Julia Horan says these drops are due to state-wide efforts to increase access to harm reduction supplies like Opioid Overdose (OD) Safety Kits.
Each kit contains two doses of naloxone, which is a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It also contains five fentanyl test strips, five xylazine test strips, educational materials on how to use everything included and guidance for how to identify an opioid overdose. Kits can be found at health clinics across South Carolina, but DPH encourages people to call their respective clinic to check supply.
Horan says the DPH will also visit community events like HOA meetings to train people on how to identify an overdose and use naloxone, emphasizing how having this knowledge is relevant to all.
“Older adults who have prescriptions might forget when they took them last, so they would want to have naloxone, or anyone who might accidentally take something that could be laced with fentanyl. Really anyone and everyone should be getting trained and carrying it,” she said.
Disposing of unused medication can also prevent opioid abuse in the future. Any unused medication can be dropped off year-round at these locations.
DPH will publish finalized data about 2024 drug overdoses in spring 2026. For any more information, visit https://dph.sc.gov.
