Jody Rowland has seen the impact opioid abuse has on people and their families.
Rowland, who is the Edgefield County sheriff, and his deputies have handled countless calls for drug overdoses.
“I got two people in my head right this minute. We gave NARCAN on Tuesday. We gave NARCAN on Thursday. We went to the funeral on Sunday. And that’s unacceptable. Absolutely,” said the sheriff.
That’s why his department works with EMS Director Garrett Lynn, to participate in the Community Opioid Paramedic Education (COPE) program provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
“I was invited by Garrett to come and talk to the DHEC rep. and take a look at this program,” Rowland said. “Garrett and I have talked over many times about this problem. Edgefield County is not in a good position with overdoses. And so, as it was explained to me how this team could be put together, and then follow up on a NARCAN survivor. I can’t think of a reason why I wouldn’t be a part of this.”
Lynn said he and his personnel see how families suffer because a loved one is abusing an opioid.
“I’ve seen children, grandchildren, we’ve gone to home before, in, you know, it’s a family member, that this is our second, third or fourth time as well, you see the pain and suffering on these families faces. And there was really nothing for us to do,” he said. “
MORE: Augusta Tech adds a Day of Giving to Founders’ Week events
Lynn said once they treated the patient, including transportation to the hospital, there wasn’t much more his department could do to provide more help.
That is where COPE can help.
A team, usually an EMS representative and a counselor, follow up with an overdose survivor and offer what treatment is available, as an inpatient or outpatient.
The program was started in 2019. Kenny Polson, DHEC COPE Program Coordinator said it is the only initiative of its kind that is state-run.
“It’s been in other areas for a number of years. We actually modeled it after a couple of places up in in Ohio. And it was they they’ve had some success with it,” he said. “We’ve had some difficulties with our program, because we have such a shortage of paramedics across the state.”
Edgefield County is one of only seven of South Carolina’s 46 counties that participate in the program.
DHEC said the number of opioid deaths rose from 876 in 2019 to 1,400 in 2020. The Georgia Department of Public Health said in 2020, of the 1,309 drug overdose deaths in the state, 67% were related to opioids.
Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 75% of the nearly 92,000 drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved an opioid.
Although the EMS personnel take the lead during follow up visits, some counties will have someone from law enforcement join them.
“We do understand that, you know, that occasionally is a little off putting because there’s a police officer there or law enforcement officer there. But we generally try to tell our teams to partner with law enforcement officers that are a little more seasoned and have a good sense of community policing. So that they’re able to talk to folks and calm them down and keep them from, you know, feeling threatened because a police officer is there,” Polson said.
MORE: Pinning ceremony for medical assistants and medical coding students
In Edgefield County, a deputy does accompany the COPE team.
“We go plainclothes, unmarked car, we introduce ourselves up front,” Rowland said. “I don’t think it hits them as a surprise, but it does make them a little cautious. But we let paramedics drive that train, paramedics are doing the introduction, they are the first person that talks. They are the moderator, so to speak. So, we hope that reduces the level a little bit.”
Rowland and Lynn said a visit doesn’t have to be as a follow-up to an overdose. Anyone struggling with an opioid addiction, or who has a family member or friend who needs help, can call the sheriff’s office at (803) 637-5337.
“I will tell you up front I don’t know that this COPE program’s going to work. But I know it’s a step in the right direction. I can tell you that,” Rowland said.
More information on the COPE program is available at https://scdhec.gov/opioid-epidemic
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
