From 2020 to 2021, drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl increased by more than 35% in the state, from 1,100 to 1,494 deaths.
Fentanyl was involved in more than two-thirds of all opioid-involved overdose deaths in the state in 2021.
With the rise of drug overdoses in the county, officials from law enforcement, Legislative Delegation, and other entities are working together to keep the community informed.
An event on Sunday aims to continue raising awareness about opioids.
The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, Marlboro County Legislative Delegation, S.C. Alcohol Enforcement Team for the Fourth Circuit and Trinity Behavioral Care will have the event at 4 p.m. on March 12 at the Berea Center, 1062 Highway 38 South in Bennettsville.
A free meal will be provided.
The event is to raise awareness and find solutions to help decrease the county’s drug problem.
Rep. Pat Henegan said the legislature is currently working on legislation that would criminalize trafficking fentanyl, one of the top ingredients that causes death overdoses.
“The specifics are still being worked on, but there is a major effort to address this issue,” she said.
Interim Sheriff Larry McNeil said two months ago, enough fentanyl was seized that it could have provided some for everyone in the county.
“We have to empower and educate people to make things safer for children,” Henegan said.
During the event on Sunday, information will be given about the opiate program at Trinity Behavioral Care.
It includes outpatient counseling, integrate telehealth to support treatment, medication-assisted therapy, rapid response to overdose, community distribution of NARCAN, and prevention programs. Trinity provides treatment to about 300 clients/per year in the county. Trinity is building a 5,000-square-foot facility in the county that will allow them to over 800 clients annually.
Those attending will receive Narcan training and distribution, Deterra-safe medication disposal, and underage drinking/vaping information.