Augusta, GA
Ga. group comes to Augusta to spread awareness on overdoses
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Fentanyl deaths are on the rise in Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Public Health reported a 308% increase from 2019 to 2022.
That’s more than 1,600 lives lost to overdose.
For the past two days, Georgia Overdose Prevention has been in Augusta to hand out Narcan, hygiene kits and opioid overdose rescue kits.
We were there to learn more about how they’re trying to help the CSRA lower overdose deaths.
“There is unfortunately a lot of drug use in this area,” said Harm Reduction Advocate Dolly Neese.
It’s something Neese is familiar with.
“Around the first nine months of my recovery journey, 10 of my friends overdosed and died back-to-back. And I was living in Athens, Georgia at the time, and I really wanted to do something to help,” said Neese.
It brings her to Augusta with other volunteers from the Georgia Overdose Prevention.
Nicoll Gentry, recovery advocate and volunteer with Georgia Overdose Prevention, said: “Augusta is an affected area, and we can’t just continue to ignore a problem.”
You never know who will show up here.
Neese said: “It’s family members of people who use drugs; it’s drug users themselves.”
Gentry said: “I’ve seen a lot of parents whose kids haven’t made it out of addiction yet. It helped me realize what I put my mom through. I was able to share some hope that there is the other side of addiction.”
The first step is reaching people where they are.
“There’s no judgment because we’ve been there,” said Gentry.
Neese said: “Regardless of what people decide, I just believe that they deserve life and dignity. So that’s what really drives me is just to give people the opportunity to have another day.”
If you or a loved one need access to any of the resources Georgia Overdose Prevention provides, you can reach them on their website or on Facebook.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The second annual Juneteenth trail ride took place on Old Waynesboro Road in Augusta on Saturday.
The event featured trail rides with horses and ATVs, a mechanical bull contest and music.
People shopped at vendors, and there was entertainment for kids, including a petting zoo, inflatables and games.
“It’s really a privilege just to be able to have the opportunity to share my space, to share my area, and to share for an event with so much value, to give back to my community and a place to celebrate,” said Davon Wallace, chief of operations at Crimson Hills.
Wallace said they will be hosting more events, with a haunted trail coming in October.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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