Anderson, SC| Anderson County Coroner’s Office was recently awarded a grant that has made it easier for citizens to get Narcan. In early 2024, the Coroner’s Office was awarded a $45,000 grant from The South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund. The South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) approved four remediation projects for a combined budget of $418,824. The Detention Center Treatment Program received $170,824. The Detention Center Post-Release Treatment Scholarships received $98,000. The Anderson County Coroner’s Office – Drug Education Initiative received $45,000. PlaySafe AOD/OAA Student Connect Initiative received $105,000. This grant money allowed the Coroner’s Office to hold public education events throughout Anderson County. The Narcan the Coroner’s Office distributes is provided by the SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS).
The Anderson County Coroner’s Office is a community distributor. Coroner Greg Shore stated that if his office is involved in a drug-related death, then his office will canvas the area, passing out Narcan. Coroner Shore believes this will lessen the drug-related deaths in Anderson County. The Coroner’s Office Public Information Officer Alyssa Whitfield released the latest statistics related to drug deaths. Mrs. Whitfield stated in 2020, there were 67 drug-related deaths. In 2021, Anderson County had 51 drug-related deaths. The number rose by double in 2022 to 103. 2023 saw a slight decrease, with only 81 drug-related deaths. The Coroner’s Office also believes that passing out Pill Bottle Safes, as pictured below, will keep pills out of the hands of children. The Coroner’s Office has also been pushing gun locks. This year alone, Anderson County has seen 2 shootings involving children, and one of those shootings resulted in death. The Coroner’s Office has held and will hold more community-related events to help educate the public. They will also hand out Narcan, pill bottle safes, and gun locks. You can visit their Facebook page, Anderson County Office of the Coroner, to keep up with the latest news and when they will hold the next event. The Coroner’s Office provided upstatenewstoday.com with a pamphlet they also hand out. Below, you will find the pamphlet and helpful resources. The Coroner’s Office is located at 301 Camson Rd, Anderson, SC 29625.
