Charleston County, South Carolina – The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office reported an increase in drug overdose events around the community.
On Oct. 27, the agency issued a “overdose spike alert” after recording nine overdoses, one of which was fatal.
The overdoses occurred in a variety of locations, with five incidences, including the fatality, recorded along Ashley River Rd. in West Ashley, three in North Charleston, and one in Mount Pleasant. Crack and heroin were the narcotics in question.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Community Wellness Unit actively monitors overdose cases with the HIDTA Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (OD MAP).
It’s a tool for tracking overdose sites and drugs, enabling for better strategic planning and enhanced access to life-saving Narcan in afflicted areas.
To remain on top of overdose trends, the Sheriff’s Office employs automatic ‘Spike Alerts’ from OD MAP, with a customized alert threshold set to five overdoses in 24 hours to ensure early action.
Free Narcan is offered at various sites, including James Island Town Hall (1122 Dills Bluff Rd.), North Charleston Lodge (2551 Ashley Phosphate Rd.), the Al Cannon Detention Center Lobby (3841 Leeds Ave.), and the College of Charleston Police Department (89 St. Phillips St.), among others.
Residents are invited to download the Bridge2Hope App, which offers recovery services in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties, as well as 24/7 real-time assistance from FAVOR Lowcountry Recovery Specialists.
The app also offers a map of 22 Community Distributors that provide free Narcan.
