Horry County filed a lawsuit against major drug manufacturers and companies over the growing opioid crisis.
According to the lawsuit, the number of opiod deaths in the county has increased in the last couple of years.
“I could tell you right now that in an average we do see approximately three a week, as a matter a fact we just had two this weekend,” said coroner Robert Edge.
Horry County blames big companies such as CVS, Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, and many more. The lawsuit states the county has seen a substantion increase in opioid overdoses, addictions, and negative effects around the community.
“It’s not just heroin that’s killing everybody. A lot of times is the combination of fentanyl with heroin or another drug mixed together maybe with alcohol. It’s a major problem we keep seeing and we are seeing new things that are coming around,” said Edge.
In 2014 there were 49 opioid deaths in Horry County. The lawsuit shows 77 opioid overdoses in 2017.
“Depending on the drug people can make it in the kitchen sink, bathtube and you don’t know whether it’s sanitary or the amount of ratio in the ingredients. So there’s a strong possibility you can overdose on that drug or it come have some effect to you,” said captian of criminal investigative division in Horry County, John Harrelson.
The lawsuit further states that county personnel administered Narcan more than a thousand times in 2016.
“Let’s just hope and pray the people one day quit using it and realize the damage that it’s causing to their bodies and families,” said Edge.
Horry County requested a full jury trial in the case.
