North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
Article By: Kevin Hughes
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Sinclair Broadcast Group) – Eric Bolling along with Russell Fry joined Sinclair Broadcast Group and Liberty University for a town hall event discussing the ongoing opioid crisis in America. Kevin Hughes a student at Coastal Carolina was asked if he had any questions on the use of opioids and what can be done to bring more attention on the subject.
Following the arrival of vicious substances such as Fentanyl, used for cancer patients in excruciating pain and Carfentanil, used to tranquilize elephants, law enforcement agencies, recovery centers and legislators across the United States of America have been engaged in an exhausting and horrific war on drugs. On Tuesday, in a nationally televised town hall featuring a panel of experts and victims, former Fox News contributor Eric Bolling preached for change. After tragically losing his only son to an accidental overdose at the University of Colorado, Eric has made it his mission to find a solution to end the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Horry County, South Carolina is very familiar with this tragic crisis. The number of annual deaths associated with narcotics has almost doubled between 2013 and 2017 in the county, rising from 613 to 1001 in each respective year. In addition, across the state of South Carolina the number of prescriptions per capita has sky rocketed. Currently on average, 109 prescriptions are distributed for every 100 people compared to the national rate of 70. As a community, our mission needs to be refocused on following the requests of Eric. It is time to remove the stigma. As addicts continue to use, our detention centers fill and law enforcement battles the war on the streets, the statistics seem to show that we can do more. Although the solution to this tragedy may not be imminent, there are steps neighborhoods across the country can instantly do to make improvements.
The traditional stereotypes associated with addicts need to be removed. This disease has no specific targets. In every economic class, race and gender addiction has been reported. Communities across the country need to become alert and aware. This disease will continue to kill without an educated and motivated public. The more people who are informed on the epidemic, the better. Families and friends of those addicted need to step up, reach out and request help. This disease will not wait for permission to destroy lives. Recovery centers, hotlines, volunteer efforts and community resources need to be utilized. The country is facing an opioid epidemic of historical proportions and the most important step to take as a nation is to join together and take a stand by removing the stigma.
Below is the link to the South Carolina House of Representatives Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee January 2019 Update to Findings and Recommendations
The Honorable Russell Fry(District 106-Horry): RepresentativeFry serves as Chairman of the House Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee. Representative Fry serves on the Judiciary Committee and the Rules Committee. He has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2015
