In early November, 2023, Horry County Fire Rescue started its broader Harm Reduction Program with the hiring of two Harm Reduction Specialists, who were brought on to specifically tackle the effects of the opioid epidemic on Horry County.
With state funds provided through a legal settlement with opioid manufacturers, the two Harm Reduction Specialists began formulating a strategy for how they’d try to make a difference against “overdoses” and “overdose-related patient” numbers that have steadily increased over the last six years.
Person-to-person contact, linking those needing help with available resources, and a robust community outreach plan, the two Harm Reduction Specialists were met with positive results. As the team has grown to four Harm Reduction Specialists, with one year of data points tallied, HCFR and Horry County leadership is optimistic about the direction and results of this program.
“We’re too cautious to say we’ve cracked the code and are turning this thing around,” said HCFR Chief Joseph Tanner. “But many of the numbers we track related to this epidemic have started to show movement in the right direction—in the form of a decrease in both naloxone (NARCAN) administrations, and the number of patients to whom HCFR crews administer these overdose effect-reversing drugs.”
By the numbers:
Year NARCAN administrations NARCAN patients
2018 797 631
2019 1,022 778
2020 1,215 887
2021 1,597 1,145
2022 1,348 949
2023 1,408 947
In 2024, when comparing year-to-date numbers with 2023, HCFR has seen a decrease in both of the above figures.
From January 1, 2023 through Dec. 1, 2023, HCFR crews administered NARCAN 1,303 times, to 884 patients.
From January 1, 2024 through Dec. 1, 2024, HCFR crews administered NARCAN 813 times, to 572 patients.
“These numbers are exciting for us,” said HCFR Assistant Chief Ben Lawson, who heads the organizations EMS operations. “We don’t believe we’re seeing these decreases on accident, understanding there may be other societal and social factors that align with the hard work of our Harm Reduction Specialists to see these results in Horry County.”
Whatever it is causing fewer NARCAN administrations and patients, is a welcomed outcome for Chief Tanner, Assistant Chief Lawson, the Harm Reduction Specialists, and all in the public safety realm of Horry County who are working together against the negative effects of the opioid epidemic on the region.
In the first year of Horry County’s Harm Reduction Program, the Specialists—who were working as a team of two (rather than the four they have now) for the first eight months—boast other numbers that show hard work in the direction of positive outcomes in this regard.
For their “connection to care” figures, or the process of linking individuals struggling with substance use disorders to needed support and resources through assessment, referral, engagement, continuity of care and holistic support, HCFR’s Harm Reduction Specialists made 745 attempts on 673 patient interactions (including family and friends), linking 212 people to services.
Proactive community outreach efforts totaled 1,663 interactions with HCFR’s team and specifically involved parties. This total includes 419 who participated in prevention and/or education programming, adding 188 healthcare professionals and 149 first responders.
3,154 people were educated on how to respond to an opioid overdose in the last year.
Strong partnerships with community groups and fellow public safety organizations working to these same positive ends have also been beneficial for the Harm Reduction Specialists.
“These numbers, combined with the enthusiasm of our Harm Reduction Specialists for making Horry County a better and safer place, give us every reason to be optimistic going into 2025, where we hope to see more of the same, especially as this dedicated team has plans to roll out new initiatives to fight the good fight,” Assistant Chief Lawson said.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, you can always get them in contact with HCFR’s Harm Reduction Specialists: hcg.firerescue@horrycountysc.gov.
