Lifeguard EMS Observes South Carolina Overdose Awareness Day, Receives Proclamation from Governor
8.11.2022
Governor Henry McMaster’s proclamation of Aug. 31 as statewide overdose awareness day aims to recognize and stop overdose deaths.
Lifeguard Emergency Medical Services received a copy of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s proclamation of Aug. 31 as statewide overdose awareness day, an effort by Lifeguard EMS, the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, the Chesterfield County Coroner and the Pageland Police Department with other community groups and government organizations to recognize and stop overdose deaths.
The proclamation, which was sent to Lifeguard EMS, was received in a ceremony from State Rep. Richard L. "Richie" Yow on Thursday, Aug. 11.
"Our communities are increasingly seeing calls for overdoses, so it’s not only important to know how to avoid them but also how to make the call for treatment when they occur,” said Keith Snipes, operations manager for Lifeguard EMS in Chesterfield. "We are proud to accept the proclamation from Governor McMaster recognizing August 31 as overdose awareness day."
Lifeguard EMS operates in multiple communities across the state, and overdose calls are becoming more frequent, particularly with fentanyl becoming more common and available. Recognizing the deadly impacts from fentanyl is important. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
“We appreciate the partnerships in our community to help bring awareness to this serious issue,” said Snipes. “Overdoses have been increasing and this is an area where we can help and educate the public. In 2020, 1,734 South Carolinians died from a drug overdose, a number that has been increasing since 2014. Of those 1,734 deaths, 1,400 were related to opioids and 1,100 involved fentanyl.
Overdoses can occur with misused prescription drugs or street drugs. The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) website has more information on overdose awareness and related services. Some facts on opioids and prescription drugs from the DAODAS website justplainkillers.com:
The proclamation, which was sent to Lifeguard EMS, was received in a ceremony from State Rep. Richard L. "Richie" Yow on Thursday, Aug. 11.
"Our communities are increasingly seeing calls for overdoses, so it’s not only important to know how to avoid them but also how to make the call for treatment when they occur,” said Keith Snipes, operations manager for Lifeguard EMS in Chesterfield. "We are proud to accept the proclamation from Governor McMaster recognizing August 31 as overdose awareness day."
Lifeguard EMS operates in multiple communities across the state, and overdose calls are becoming more frequent, particularly with fentanyl becoming more common and available. Recognizing the deadly impacts from fentanyl is important. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
“We appreciate the partnerships in our community to help bring awareness to this serious issue,” said Snipes. “Overdoses have been increasing and this is an area where we can help and educate the public. In 2020, 1,734 South Carolinians died from a drug overdose, a number that has been increasing since 2014. Of those 1,734 deaths, 1,400 were related to opioids and 1,100 involved fentanyl.
Overdoses can occur with misused prescription drugs or street drugs. The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) website has more information on overdose awareness and related services. Some facts on opioids and prescription drugs from the DAODAS website justplainkillers.com:
- Opioids are highly addictive narcotic substances commonly prescribed to treat pain. Five million pain killer prescriptions are filled in South Carolina each year.
- Opioids can change brain chemistry in 72 hours, which can lead to opioid use disorder.
- Addiction affects one in four people who are prescribed opioids and four out of five heroin users started with prescription pain pills, which is why Narcan and naloxone should be kept available in case of an overdose or overmedication.
- Find addiction treatment information at daodas.sc.gov/services/treatment/local-providers
