The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has been awarded approximately $280,000 for a three-year grant from the 2022 Bureau of Justice Act Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program. Funds will be used to hire a forensic analyst who will focus on improving regional efforts in fatal overdose investigations.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office will work with five neighboring county coroner offices to improve inter-county opioid investigation protocols, faster uploading of data to national stakeholder databases, and more accurate reginal opioid death statistics which will be provided to local, state, and federal agencies that analyze opioid-related mortality rates.
In 2021, the Charleston County Coroner’s Office investigated 183 unintentional opioid/drug related deaths. In 2022, the Coroner’s Office has confirmed 146 unintentional opioid/drug related deaths. Currently there are 40 cases pending toxicology testing but those are suspected overdoses.
“Charleston County and the Lowcountry region has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. We are honored to have been awarded funds that will provide a forensic analyst who will work closely with our neighboring counites and focus on the specific needs of drug related death investigations, engage with community stakeholders, and provide needed resources to surviving families,” said Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.
“The opioid epidemic doesn’t recognize county lines. I look forward to working with my peers to seek ways to improve regional data sharing with stakeholders to try to prevent opioid related deaths,” said Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers.
Republished courtesy of Charleston County Coroner’s Office.