Deaths from drug overdose

Deaths from drug overdoses in the U-S have set a record every year for the past 20 years.  But now, for the first time, the number of Americans who fatally overdosed over the course of one year surpassed 100 thousand.  Drug overdose figures published today by South Carolina DHEC reflect the year 2019 and show that, during that year, 26 Oconeeans died from drug overdoses.  Seven Oconee deaths were attributed to fentanyl.  A DHEC doctor (Virginie Daguise) said this about that drug’s potency:  “Many people who die from fentanyl overdose appear to have been unaware that they were using the drug.  Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are now the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States.”  Other drugs that cost Oconee County lives two years ago were heroin, methadone, and cocaine.  DHEC recognizes the MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center hospital lab for being the first contributor to submit 1,000 samples to DHEC’s expanding program of Opioid Bio-surveillance.  More than 38 healthcare facilities statewide are taking part in the CDC-funded bio-surveillance initiative.