Oconee County fentanyl deaths in 2021

101.7/WGOG NEWS reported recently that deaths from drug overdoses in the U-S set a record every year for the past 20 years.  And for the first time, the number of Americans who fatally overdosed over the course of one year surpassed 100 thousand.  Drug overdose figures published 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.  Fentanyl was seen in at least 13 of 31-drug related Oconee County deaths in 2021.  Coroner Karl Addis announced those figures today.  “Three cases are pending in which I suspect fentanyl to be present,” Addis told 101.7/WGOG NEWS.