COLUMBIA, S.C. — According to the South Carolina Office of Substance Use Services, an estimated over 450,000 residents across the state struggle with substance-related problems, but new data shows encouraging progress. State health officials announced earlier the first decline in overdose deaths in 10 years, based on the Department of Health’s 2023 report.

Leaders say the milestone reflects years of collaborative work focused on prevention, treatment and recovery. “I think what that means is a lot of hard work is finally paying off, and we still have a long way to go,” said Sara Goldsby, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Substance Use Services.

Several individuals were recognized at the Governors Summit on Addiction on November 13t

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