S.C. overdose deaths are down, but officials worry for future

['City Paper Staff', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Charleston City Paper 2025-09-19 00:00:00

MORNING HEADLINES | The number of overdose deaths in the Palmetto State is in decline for years, but new illicit substances are on the rise, posing new threats, according to state officials. In South Carolina, the number of overdose deaths decreased nearly 30% from April 2024 to April 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The trend began in 2023, breaking a decade-long rise in overdose deaths, according to the state Department of Public Health. We encourage you to donate $25 — or even $100 — to support independent journalism at the Charleston City Paper. In today’s issue of the Charleston City PaperCP OPINION: Don’t use a tragedy to erode freedom.