REENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. — New early data from the CDC suggests that the number of drug deaths is likely going down.
The number of overdose deaths in the U.S. dropped by 10% from April 2023 to April 2024, according to the government.
That goes all the way across the state to Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
There were a number of reasons why the numbers dropped in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and Pickens counties.
Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said, “When we started having a problem, I met with the sheriff and the lawyer to talk about it.” “And the sheriff agreed to start doing investigations, and he’s actively going after the dealers.”
“People are very aware,” said Shelton England, Chief Deputy Coroner for Greenville County. “You need to tell people what we’re seeing and how well it works.” It could have been a one-time user the first time you tried something and died from it.
Narcan is another important part of the picture. Now more than ever, the drug is easy to get.
“You can start undoing the effects of that overdose right away until first responders can get there and take over,” said Brian Creswell, the Opioid Program Specialist for Greenville County.
People who are not overdoing on the drug are not hurt by it. You don’t need to be taught to give it.
Ken and Melody Bowers always have it with them. In 2022, they lost their son to death from fentanyl abuse. Now they spread the word about the drug and give it to people in the area.
“I think it should be in every tool kit in businesses, schools, homes, cars,” she said.
Is this the start of a bigger change? Clevenger says that you might be able to help with some of that.
“Always keep your guard up whenever it comes to being safe,” said he. “And drugs really are some of the worst things in the world.” It’s a secret death sentence.”
The Anderson County Coroner’s Office says that drug overdoses are not going down, but deaths from overdoses are. There have been 447 deaths so far this year.