Drug task force hopes to end Opioid abuse in Oconee County

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – “Our mission will not end until we have zero Opioid related overdoses in Oconee County as well as South Carolina,” Dr. Alain Litwin said. 

Prisma Health is bringing together a number of agencies to take a look at resources already in place and see what else is needed to stop Opioid related deaths.  

Robert Iddings-Rocha knows about the problem firsthand.

He says he was once addicted to Opioids and Heroin.

He struggled with homelessness, scrounging for food and dealing drugs. 

Dr. Alain Litwin says Oconee County is one of the hardest hit areas of South Carolina due to the lack of resources in rural areas.

He says in 2017 748 people died in the state, 24 of those deaths in Oconee County.

“The drug markets are a big fact in where Fentanyl hits often could have a big impact because we know again five of those 24 deaths were related to Fentanyl, and we feel that Fentanyl is only growing,” Dr. Litwin said. 

Dr. Litwin works with the drug task force who will be part of Tuesday’s community event.

He says they will focus on everything from prevention to treatment and recovery.

Iddings-Rocha says the outreach to those suffering is a great place to start.

“The more awareness we can bring to the issue…more people can see that it’s not just them that is going through this…they’re not by themselves,” He said. 

Tuesday’s event is happening at Northside Elementary School in Seneca beginning at 6:00 pm. 

There will be a panel discussion followed by a community resource fair.