Opioid Abatement Coalition reports outreach and overdose response gains, cites six confirmed overdose deaths midyear

Karen Short, director of the Chesterfield County Opioid Abatement Coalition (COAC), delivered a midyear update reporting expanded treatment access, naloxone distribution and coordinated overdose-response efforts across county agencies.

Short said COAC’s collaborative work with county staff, health-care providers, law enforcement, nonprofit partners and community advocates has allowed the coalition to expand access to Medicaid-assisted treatment, naloxone, overdose-response training and harm-reduction supplies. She credited partnerships with Care South Carolina for medically assisted treatment, the Department of Public Health (DPH), co-paramedics, and the sheriff’s narcotics division for diversion-to-treatment efforts.

Short reported that, since Jan. 1, county data showed 53 suspected overdoses and 18 Narcan deployments; the coroner’s midyear report listed six confirmed overdose deaths in the county. Short gave a partial breakdown of those confirmed deaths by local area and substance: three occurred in the Chirac area, two in Jefferson, and one in Patrick; two deaths were described as methamphetamine-related, two as cocaine-related, one fentanyl-related and one involving fentanyl combined with xylazine. She said one autopsy/toxicology remained pending in Chesterfield. Short also said COAC has helped divert 10 individuals into detox and ongoing treatment since January 1.

COAC is conducting public awareness through radio and mobile billboards, distributing harm-reduction materials and placing naloxone distribution boxes at participating fire departments and other locations. Short said 154 boxes of Narcan and 74 test strips have been disseminated countywide and additional freestanding distribution units have been ordered.

Short announced a countywide first-responder training on emerging drug trends to be held July 17, facilitated by Dr. Demi Garvin of the Forensic Science Network, and described COAC’s field outreach and a steering committee conducting needs assessments; the committee met June 18 and will meet again in August. Short said she is training on the state’s new grants-management system and will complete midyear expenditure reporting consistent with the abatement strategy.

Short told the council she believes collaborative efforts are contributing to a reduction in fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths in the county but reported that fentanyl and methamphetamine remain an enduring threat in the eastern portion of the county and that crack cocaine has seen a resurgence in the western portion.

Ending: Short asked for questions and thanked the council for time; council members thanked COAC and highlighted continuing cross-agency partnership responsibilities.