74 | HealthLinksSC.com He noted that there aren’t many doctors working in opioid use disorder in the United States, even though the Cleveland Clinic noted that in 2022, 3 million people in the country suffered with OUD. The Cleveland Clinic also mentioned that 45% of heroin addicts started with the misuse of prescription opioids. Dr. Justine DeCastro, president-elect of the Charleston County Medical Society and primary care physician at Harborside Healthcare, said that the incident at Lucy Beckham High School hit a little too close to home for her. She now advocates for the use of naloxone in schools and other public places. She even thinks it would be important to educate the public on having naloxone, also commonly known as Narcan, available in most homes. Naloxone is a nasal spray that works directly to reverse an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of the drugs on the brain and restoring breathing. It can be bought over the counter in most pharmacies and many communities are now holding events where they give it away for free. “There is a stigma though with Narcan and many people feel judged if they buy it at the store,” she added. “That stigma needs to go away.” Besides the stigma, other barriers prevent people from getting help, such as the lack of funds to afford rehab; the time needed to get better and focus on their health; the community or the people around them that can hinder their recovery; the fact that to start methadone for detox, you have to be drug-free; and in many cases, people cannot go to rehab without a referral. Some people are motivated by the law, of course, but in other places, like the state of Oregon for example, possession of minor amounts of drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine are treated like a traffic ticket, according to CNN. “In Oregon, people caught doing drugs or possessing drugs will be given aid and assistance for addiction, not jail time,” Dr. Jackson explained. Fentanyl testing strips, which are available at health departments throughout South Carolina, can be useful. Dr. Jackson recommends using those if you are unsure about the compounds you are thinking of ingesting. Dr. DeCastro concluded, “There is definitely a disconnect in our community on realizing just how bad this problem really is. It isn’t going away anytime soon, and I actually see it getting worse before it gets better unless we start addressing the problem at home first.” CHARLESTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY HealthLinks Charleston is a proud partner of the Charleston County Medical Society. For more information on joining CCMS, contact Dana Holladay at [email protected]. TREATMENT CENTERS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY Charleston Recovery Center – www.charlestonrecoverycenter.com Charleston Medicine and Behavioral Health – www.charlestonmedicine.com Lantana Recovery Rehab – www.lantanarecovery.com Waypoint Recovery Center – www.waypointrecoverycenter.com MUSC Health Center for Drug and Alcohol Program at Institute of Psychiatry – https://locations.muschealth.org/sc/charleston/67-president-st-fac372?utm_source=Yext&utm_medium=Listings&utm_campaign=WebsiteClicksFacility Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission – www.dadc.org Resources: WakeUp Carolina – www.wakeupcarolina.org; Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse – www.tccada.com; Charleston Addictions Counseling – www.charlestonaddictioncounseling.com SMALL STEPS IN THE FENTANYL FIGHT • Be cautious of any medication, prescription or not. • Keep your medications in a safe place and administer medications yourself to your children. • Remember, any medications at schools must be registered and kept at the school office. • Be cognizant of anyone who visits your home: kids’ friends, family members, babysitters, etc. Know where your kids are going and who they’re around, like older siblings, peers at their extracurriculars, friends’ homes, etc. This isn’t an easy problem to talk to your kids about or get help with. If you’re worried your child has a problem with illicit drugs or prescription medications, reach out to the school, contact the physician or provider who wrote the prescription, or reach out to our local resources. Source: Dr. Justine DeCastro, President-elect, Charleston County Medical Society; Primary care physician, Harborside Healthcare. Dr. Justine DeCastro
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