MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue wants to start a new program to tackle the opioid epidemic by following up with the people they had to give Narcan.
They would partner with Myrtle Beach police and SC Department of Health and Environmental Control to reach out and help those in the community they know have an issue with opioids.
Due to the opioid epidemic, all first responders in Myrtle Beach carry Narcan.
According to the Horry County Coroner’s Office, from August 2017 to August 2018, overall opioid deaths are down 15 percent, but fentanyl deaths are up 21 percent.
In 2016, Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue administered Narcan 238 times. In 2017, that number dropped to 180, and last year 191.
“That’s at least one every two days, so if we can help take down some of those numbers. Obviously this isn’t going to help fix the problem, but it’s the first step,” said Lt. Jonathan Evans with Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue.
Trained members from police, fire, and DHEC will gather information of those who are given Narcan and then set up an appointment to go to their home to speak with them on how to treat their addiction. First repsonders will also perform a wellness check.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to help people because this is what we’re passionate about and want to figure out what we can do for this particular epidemic in our community,” said Lt. Evans.
After administering Narcan, first responders take the patient to the hospital. Once their dropped off, they rarely know what happens to them next, but this program would change that.
“You don’t always get that closure on those kind of things, and I think for a lot of our people it would be kind of therapeutic to see what happens afterwards and if we can get those people help,” said Lt. Evans.
The program will come at no cost to the city, and will be funded through DHEC.
Myrtle Beach City Council still has to approve the program, but MBFR hopes to have it up and running by this summer.
