Lexington County’s biggest killer isn’t the virus that has caused a global pandemic.

It’s something you may have in your own medicine cabinet: prescription painkillers known as opioids.

Recent data released by Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher’s recent reveals a troubling trend. Overdose deaths here have almost doubled since 2018.

In just 2 years, accidental overdose killed:

• 53 people in 2018.

• 60 in 2019.

• 104 in 2020.

Lexington County and South Carolina are working to stop the opioid epidemic. The SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services has granted $50,000 each to prevention services LRADAC and The Courage Center (TCC) to prevent and reduce drug misuse here.

Dr. Pam Imm, LRADAC community psychologist and TCC board chairperson, says psychostimulants are the biggest threat to our community. That includes drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl.

In the past, the majority of federal funding has typically gone to treatment services. LRADAC and TCC have secured funding for prevention.

Dr. Imm said the 2 biggest risk factors of the epidemic are:

1. Easy availability of opioids– People tend to hang on to unused prescription medicine “just in case.”

2. Low perception of risk– “My doctor prescribed it to me, how dangerous can it be?”

LRADAC distributes free drug-disposal packets around Lexington and Richland counties. These Deterra packets safely dissolve un used medications and are eco-friendly.

TCC, a community recovery organization, is working on anti-stigma campaigns in “hot spots” around Lexington County to encourage people to seek help. Areas like Swansea/Gaston, West Columbia and Red Bank have high instances of drug overdose.

For those in active addition, drug treatment and recovery programs save lives. Research shows people in recovery have a 90% chance of staying sober after 1 year when they have community support.

The Courage Center’s Program Manager Hunter Welch shared one of the center’s most encouraging transformations.

15-year-old David was at rock bottom. His adopted parents called The Courage Center after David attempted suicide.

David arrived at the center carrying a lot of pain and anger. He was failing his freshman year of high school and didn’t want to be in recovery.

After 4 months in TCC’s adolescent recovery program, David had done a complete 180. He was making straight A’s and had taken on a leadership role in the program.

Welch said David opened up after discovering his love for painting during recreation time at the center.

David credits The Courage Center for his new life. He told Welch, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

This article was prepared by LRA-DAC/The Courage Center under award number 1H79TI083300-01 from SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Courage Center provides services free of charge at 860 Park Rd., Lexington. Reach them at 803-369-3915.

LRADAC is located at 2711 Colonial Dr., Columbia. Reach them at 803-726-9300.