COLUMBIA, S.C. — Over a year has passed since funds from a multi-million dollar opioid settlement started flowing into South Carolina, and the impact it's making in Fairfield County is becoming increasingly evident.
For the past six months, William Ancrum has been at the forefront of Fairfield County’s battle against substance abuse. As a Prevention Assistant, Ancrum's responsibilities include tracking overdose data and providing life skills training to youth.
"They are meant to help kids not get to a point that they would need to rely on drugs and things like that to cope," Ancrum stated.
Ancrum's position, funded by $62,000 in opioid settlement funds, has also supported additional prevention programs such as drug take-back events, the installation of a Narcan vending machine at the detention center, and drug drop boxes.
Vernon Kennedy, the Executive Director of Fairfield Behavioral Health Services, expressed optimism about the progress made thus far. "Phenomenal. The progress has been phenomenal," he said.
Kennedy noted a decrease in opioid overdoses, arrests, and drug seizures in 2023, although opioid-related deaths have increased.
"We're not finished, we still have a lot more to do," Kennedy emphasized. He added that the center will continue receiving settlement money from the county until 2027.
Moving forward, Kennedy stressed the importance of intervention and treatment.
"It's extremely important to really get the people who are having the issues and for treatment so that they can start the life of treatment and hopefully also begin the life of recovery to become great citizens in our community," he explained.
Ancrum echoed this sentiment, expressing his commitment to making positive changes in the community. "I'm gonna do my best to help make any change that I can in this community for the better," Ancrum affirmed.
In addition, the Fairfield Opioid Response Team meets monthly on the first Monday from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM to address ongoing challenges related to opioid abuse.
South Carolina is set to receive more than $360 million in settlement funds over the next 18 years to fund opioid abatement strategies.