MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)- The coroner’s office says there are four or five heroin deaths a week in Horry County.
Myrtle Beach police and firefighters say the calls for drug-related overdoses are up significantly over the course of this year and that leads to other problems.
“Additionally what we’ve seen is things such as an increase in petit larceny, shoplifting, burglary in which someone that may be addicted to the drug is looking for ways they can purchase that narcotic,” Lt. Joey Crosby with Myrtle Beach Police said.
It’s a problem Walter Stanley is all too familiar with. He’s lived off Warren Street for 60 years and says things have changed in his neighborhood.
“This area is very highly polluted with drugs right now. I mean all across the street and on the other side as well,” Stanley said.
It’s something that has prompted Myrtle Beach police to take action.
“This is something that affects each and every one of us. This is not a police issue or fire or EMS or a medical service issue. This is an issue that’s reaching out touching everyone of us in this community,” Crosby said.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department will host a forum called “Facing the Heroin Epidemic Head-On” on August 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Base Recreation Center.
Walter says he wants people to come out to the meeting to have their voices heard and move things in the right direction.
“I encourage everybody to come to this meeting so we can make a start and make a change in this community so we can get our kids back on track.”
Guest speakers from the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Solicitor’s Office and the Coroner’s Office will discuss the regional epidemic and its effect on the Grand Strand.
The program is free and open to the public.