Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health is working hard to reduce opioid overdoses in the State by supporting the distribution of the lifesaving opioid antidote, Naloxone (Narcan®). Naloxone is distributed at each clinical health department, to schools, emergency departments and to community distributors. The public and respective entities supporting distribution can find information on where and how to obtain Naloxone below. 

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Free Opioid Overdose Kits. Kits are available at local health departments. Naloxone spray to left of text

Pick up a free OD safety kit from a local health clinic so you are prepared to respond during an opioid overdose.

Each free kit includes:

  • Naloxone, an easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdose
  • Fentanyl test strips
  • Educational materials on how to use both
  • Guidance on how to identify an opioid overdose

Naloxone Distribution in Schools

  • In 2023, the South Carolina Legislature passed House Bill 4122, which Governor McMaster signed into law, authorizing the Department of Public Health (DPH), in consultation with South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), to create and update a list of lifesaving medications school nurses and trained staff are authorized to use in schools and provide guidelines for each medication.
  • Through its partnership with the SCDE two boxes of Naloxone (Narcan®)(each containing two doses for a total of four doses per school) were made available for pickup to every K-12 school in South Carolina who wanted it. Funds for the supply were awarded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cooperative agreement Overdose Data-to-Action. There was no cost to the schools for the Narcan.

Resources for Schools

Contact

Naloxone Distribution in Emergency Departments

Through a partnership with the SC Hospital Association, DPH is working to supply Naloxone to Emergency Departments (ED) statewide. Through an analysis of the South Carolina State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS)’s 2021 data, 71.4% of decedent’s had visited an ED or urgent care within one month prior to their death.

Resources for Hospitals

Contact

Julia Horan - horanjc@dph.sc.gov 

Naloxone for Community Distributors

Community distributors, who have obtained a community distribution designation through the SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), and lack a sustainable funding source, may qualify for Naloxone from DPH while supplies last. 

Resources for Community Distributors

Contact

Julia Horan - horanjc@dph.sc.gov