By HEATHER RUPPE
There has been an increase in the number of overdoses happening in Colleton County.
According to Colleton County Fire-Rescue Chief Barry McRoy, there has been an uptick in heroin and methamphetamine overdoses: there were three overdoses just on Sunday, Feb. 13th. Two of these overdoses were for heroin. One of them was because of meth.
“This is a very sad situation,” he said. “We are definitely seeing an increase in heroin overdoses.”
According to CCFR statistics, the fire-rescue agency has responded to 10 overdoses in Colleton County since January 1st.
To compare, Colleton County Fire-Rescue responded to 72 overdoses in Colleton County in all of 2021.
Officials with Pillars4Hope in Walterboro agree that overdoses are rising in the community. They are offering to help. Formerly known as the non-profit organization called the Colleton County Commission on Drug and Alcohol Use, the group is currently offering intervention services, treatment services and recovery services for drugs.
“We want to target high-traffic areas, such as hotels. If we can identify where it is happening, we want to concentrate on those areas about how we can help,” said Nikayia Hammonds, executive director of Pillars4Hope. “Call us, walk in. Anyway people need to get through to us, we are here.”
Hammonds said they are also seeing an increase in the number of overdoses happening in Colleton County, especially with opioids. To help counter opioids overdose, Pillars4Hope gives Narcan to clients. This is a nasal spray. “We train family members and clients how to use it, to give to people who are overdosing,” she said.
Pillars4Hope can be reached at 843-538-4343.
“We are a community organization. We can come to churches and community groups and talk about how to help,” she said.
