ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office says they saw a record high of 32 overdoses in the month of July.
In June that number was just 9, and in May it was 2.
Chandra Gibbs is the Chief Deputy Sheriff. She says these overdoses come from several different drugs.
"There’s a variety of things, this can be from marijuana that may have something in it, that the person whose utilizing is not aware of," Gibbs said. "We do know there has been cases of fentanyl here in the county. It can be an overdose on several different types of opioids.”
Gibbs said that the increase has made the sheriff's office more aware.
“We have seen significant increases in our overdoses. We understand that it is an epidemic that the country is facing, as well as the state of South Carolina," Gibbs said. "But we have intently working with our partners seeing an increase in our overdoses and so it has sparked us to really pay close attention to what's going on and really have a focus under our umbrella of be safe be aware.”
One of the sheriff’s office resources is their Drug Abuse Resistance Education program also known as DARE in which officers go into elementary, middle and high schools to educate kids on peer pressure, how to say no and more.
Laquana Linder is the school resource officer at Edisto High School who just completed her DARE training. She says parents should check on their kids.
“I would suggest that the family and parents talk to your kids," said Linder. "Find out what’s going on in school ask them questions. Ask them how was your day because you never know. Even some people don’t think that a sign of them forcing them to take drugs, that’s also a sign of bullying. So find out what’s going on with your kids once they get home.”
In a preventative effort, South Carolina State University was awarded a $195,000 grant to start a college recovery program which they call Bulldog V.I.B.E.S.
Christian Jackson is the director of counseling and self development at South Carolina State University and says this program is meant to provide students with options, support, insight and more.
“A lot of the time your coming to college and your just experimenting anyway, drugs included. Unfortunately there are tons of stressors these kids are coming to school with, and so the students they will get what is most accessible," said Jackson. "Unfortunately, sometimes that is drugs and or alcohol, and so we want to make sure they are making healthy decisions on how to cope, and if they decide not to make healthy decisions, they know what their options are.”
SC State will be having a "Pop Out in Purple Day" on International Overdose Awareness Day, which is August 31st.
All Orangeburg County SROs and deputies are equipped with and ready to use Narcan in case of an emergency.