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BAMBERG, S.C. () – In South Carolina, drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for residents under 45, with opioids being the primary culprits.
Determined to tackle this crisis, Bamberg County officials are optimistic about a new initiative funded by a federal grant.
The county has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF).
Local authorities highlight that this funding will provide free treatment and therapy services to individuals struggling with opioid addiction in the community.
In 2023 alone, the state recorded over 2,000 fatalities due to drug overdoses.
Bamberg County Coroner Shawn Hanks says several of those cases happened in the area.
“We’ve had several opioid deaths in our community, and we see a growing rise of more deaths happening with opioids,” said Hanks.
Now with the grant, county leaders will be working with Low Country Health Care System to offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT Program) at Padgett Family Practice and Bamberg Specialty Services.
The no-cost treatment includes FDA-approved medications, medical monitoring, and behavioral health support to residents who need it.
“One death is one too many, especially from opioid addiction. But, that’s something that we can work together to alleviate from our community altogether,” said PIO Alisha Moore.
City leaders say along with the treatment the long-term goal is to keep community members informed and help everyone stay on the right path.
“This is going to take a community effort, because if you get someone out of that situation—and you don’t empower them with the knowledge they need—or you don’t empower their family with the knowledge they need, sometimes we end up in that same position again,” said Mayor Corey Ramsey.
The funds will also bring advanced toxicology equipment to the Bamberg County Coroner’s Office, allowing faster drug testing in suspected overdose cases.
“I know Orangeburg County just got it, and they’re going through the same process of using those funds. I talked to their coroner last night about it, and I’m just overly excited that through this grant, we will be able to get this,” Hanks said.
Leaders also want to educate the young and old—before it’s too late.
“We know that number represents a broad spectrum of individuals, young and old. So, I think it’s necessary to reach the entire family. To reach the individual who’s wrestling, but also reach the individual who’s trying to make a way for that individual to be addressed,” said Ramsey.
Leaders say they are in the “education phase” to spread the word across the city and county.
They plan to start rolling out the services in March, and will come out in phases throughout 2026.