Overdose deaths decline in SC for second year in a row, DPH says. Here’s what changed
The SC Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday that drug overdose deaths in the Palmetto State declined between 2023 and 2024, the most recent years for which complete data are available.
This is the second year in a row that overdose deaths have declined in SC, a sign that steps and measures to reduce drug fatalities are working.
“The continued decrease in overdose deaths in South Carolina is a testament to the comprehensive approach public health partners have taken to address the opioid epidemic here in our state,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, acting DPH director.
It’s a significant milestone that many states have also experienced. According to the CDC, in 2024, the U.S. experienced the largest decline in drug overdose death rates ever recorded, surpassing the previous record set in 2018.
Here’s how many lives were spared from fatal drug overdoses in SC, year-over-year:
SC drop in overdose deaths
Each year, the SCDPH releases its Drug Overdose Deaths Report, providing data and information about the fatal drug overdose deaths that occur in the state.
In 2024, the most recent year for which complete data is available, there were 1,481 drug overdose deaths in SC, a 31.3% decrease from the 2,157 drug overdose deaths in 2023.
The number of deaths from drug use is still high compared to a decade ago, when the state only saw 876 overdose deaths in 2016. Fatal drug usage peaked in 2022 in SC, with a total of 2,296 South Carolinians dying.
Between 2022 and 2023, SC saw a 6.1% drop in overdose deaths, marking the first time the state had a decrease in overdose deaths since 2012.
“As we celebrate our progress, we do so humbly, acknowledging that too many people are still dying. Even one death is too many,” Traxler said. “We must commit to continue our work to connect people with prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives to further protect lives and improve community health.”
Of South Carolina’s 46 counties, most saw a decline in the number of drug overdoses from 2023 to 2024. Aiken, Colleton, Georgetown, Jasper, and Spartanburg counties saw a statistically significant decrease of 50% or more in the total number of drug overdose deaths, according to the DPH.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is responsible for the majority of overdose deaths, despite a decrease in overdose deaths caused by the drug. Fentanyl was involved in 914 of the state’s 1,481 overdose deaths in 2024.
Drug overdoses are still a leading cause of preventable injury mortality in SC, but the decline in fatalities is a step in the right direction.
Why overdoses decreased
The SCDPH didn’t say why fatal drug overdoses decreased, but the CDC said that multiple factors contributed to the decline. These factors include:
- Widespread, data-driven distribution of naloxone, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose
- Better access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders
- Shifts in the illegal drug supply
- A resumption of prevention and response after pandemic-related disruptions
- Continued investments in prevention and response programs like CDC’s flagship Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program
Resources for those experiencing substance abuse issues
Opioid Overdose Safety Kits are available at health departments across SC, according to the DPH. Each kit contains doses of naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, potentially saving a person’s life, and fentanyl test strips.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a substance use disorder, you can contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline, a free and confidential treatment referral and information service: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities also has a list of resources on its website for those experiencing substance use disorders.
This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Overdose deaths decline in SC for second year in a row, DPH says. Here’s what changed."