HANAHAN, SC (WCSC) -
Police in Hanahan say they are seeing an increase in heroin overdoes in the city.
Officials say so far this year they've dealt with seven cases.
Deputy Police Chief Michael Fowler says there have been five overdoses with one death. He says last year there were 17 cases involving heroin with seven overdoses and two deaths.
According to Fowler, the numbers are proportionately high for a city the size of Hanahan.
Fowler says part of the problem is that heroin is very available and that it gives the user an incredible high.
"People take it, they enjoy the high. They want the next one and the next one, so until they're caught and forced to go take some type of rehabilitation program, they're not gonna stop until somebody gets through to them or they die," Fowler said.
Fowler says cops are seeing overdoses all over the city in middle to higher income neighborhoods and lower income neighborhoods.
Fowler says he doesn't see the heroin problem slowing down anytime soon.
He says starting next week officers will be equipped with the nasal spray Narcan to protect themselves and to try to revive anyone who overdoses.
We checked all three counties to find out the number of fatal heroin overdoses so far this year.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office reports 19 deadly overdoses from involving this year.
The Dorchester County Coroner's Office reported two deaths.
The Berkeley County Coroner's Office doesn't keep statistics of heroin related deaths. However, the sheriff's office reports 12 overdose deaths so far this year.
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