MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Police are calling the use of heroin an epidemic in our community.
On Tuesday night, Myrtle Beach Police are hosting a forum that will feature drug enforcement agents, police, and addiction counselors to discuss the issue and its impacts.
County-wide, the coroner said there are four to five heroin related deaths each week.
Myrtle Beach Police have also said the calls for drug overdoses have gone up substantially this year.
Police said they’ve seen an increase in petit larceny, shoplifting, and burglary as addicts look to get money to purchase the drug.
According to police, overdoses also strain the resources of the fire department and EMS responding to the calls.
Addiction is an issue that faces all ages, races and incomes; it’s not just one neighborhood or section of the city that is impacted.
Local law enforcement is holding the forum so the community can be informed on exactly what is going on.
“To identify the problem in case they’re not aware and also to be able to offer someone who is an addict or knows an addict to let them know that, hey, there are services available for you there are support systems for you and there are some systems here to help you,” said Lt. Joey Crosby with Myrtle Beach Police.
Representatives from the Center of Hope in Myrtle Beach will also be at Tuesday’s forum; they won’t be speaking, but will answer questions people may have.
The Center of Hope offers medical treatment combined with counseling and group therapy to people recovering from addiction.
The center has been open for 13 years and the program director, Kristan Beglin said heroin has been a problem since the beginning.
While they haven’t necessarily seen an increase in services themselves, Beglin said she’s glad to see greater awareness of the issue as the problem grows around the country and in our community.
Health providers stress that addiction is a disease, not a character fault and Beglin said its something that impacts everyone.
Beglin said she would like to see more overdose prevention kits made available to the public in Horry County.
“I hope that the forum helps increase public awareness of the opioid problem here in Horry County. I also hope to establish more positive relationships with community members and service providers so we can work together to help get Horry County residents the help that they need,” said Beglin.
Guest speakers from the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Solicitor’s Office and the Coroner’s Office will attend.
The forum starts at 6:30 at the Base Recreation Center near Market Common, it is free and open to the public.
