South Carolina sees second straight year of declining overdose deaths

LEXINGTON, S.C. (WCSC) — South Carolina recorded a significant decline in drug overdose deaths in 2024, marking the second consecutive year fatalities have decreased and the first back-to-back annual decline in more than a decade, according to newly released data from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.

State health officials reported just under 1,500 overdose deaths in 2024, a 31% decrease from 2023. The reduction represents nearly 500 lives saved compared with the previous year and is being credited to expanded access to overdose-reversal medications, increased public awareness and broader prevention efforts across the state.

“Even one is too many,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, acting director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, said. “Almost 500 — that’s almost 500 people’s loved ones that are alive that might not have been, and so that is a big deal.”

Charleston, Greenville and Horry counties recorded the highest numbers of overdose deaths in 2024, followed by Richland and Lexington counties. Statewide, adults ages 35 to 44 were the age group most affected by fatal overdoses.

Meanwhile, Jasper, Georgetown and Spartanburg counties saw some of the largest declines in overdose deaths compared with the previous year.

Health leaders say expanded availability of naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, has played a key role in reducing fatalities. The medication can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and has become more widely available through public health agencies, community organizations and harm-reduction programs.

Amber Frazier, who works with The Courage Center and has experienced the impact of substance use disorder firsthand, said overdoses continue to affect families across South Carolina.

“At first, when you hear about it, it’s kind of like, ‘Is this real?’ and then reality hits you,” Frazier said, reflecting on the loss of loved ones to addiction.

Officials and recovery advocates say the decline also reflects increased education efforts and a growing willingness among people struggling with addiction to seek treatment.

“Really trying to continue to decrease the stigma around it, truly recognizing it is a disease,” Traxler said. “Just like we want to make treatment available for diabetics, we want to make treatment available for this.”

Marc Burrows, executive director of Challengers Inc. of South Carolina, said continued investment in harm-reduction strategies will be needed to sustain the progress.

“We need to keep pushing, keep distributing naloxone, keep focusing on harm-reduction interventions and continue to get these services to the people that need them,” Burrows said.

Despite the encouraging trend, health officials emphasized that the overdose crisis remains a serious public health challenge and that every overdose death represents a family and community affected by loss.

Frazier urged South Carolinians to remember the humanity of those struggling with addiction.

“Just remember that next time you see someone, that is someone’s mother, daughter, father, brother, sister or cousin,” she said. “That is another human being.”

The Department of Public Health continues to offer free overdose safety kits through local health departments across South Carolina, with no questions asked. Officials encourage anyone struggling with substance use disorder or concerned about a loved one to seek help and learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose.