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To champion those rights, end quote.

>>> opioid overdose still on the rise in south carolina.

Now local leaders hoping an international awareness day will shed some light on the growing problem.

>> jon: or own brooke schwieters in the newsroom to explain how they are getting prevention tools in the hands of community members.

Brooke?

>> brooke: yeah, good morning, guys.

First i want to give you an idea what south carolina is dealing with.

Check out some of the numbers here.

The most recent data from 2018 per every 1,000 residents.

731 opioid prescriptions were dispensed.

Just over 1100 drug overdose deaths in total.

121 of those inspector charleston county.

That's just over 10%.

Now, today a vigil at mount pleasant town hall is being held to honor overdosed victims and local leaders are working to get prevention tools like narcan, a reversal drug, in the hands of community members, as well with virtual training and contactless distribution.

Kaitlyncrats, she is a therapist at charleston place.

She has explained why some numbers have shown improvement but the pandemic is still taking on those facing substance abuse.

>> we are unfortunately stillying that overdoses are spiking.

The good news about that we have less fatal overdoses this year but fortunately the disease of addiction really feeds itself on isolation.

So we are seeing this is really a difficult time in this pandemic for people with substance abuse disorders.

>> brooke: now, during the second light the way for hope vigil names and photos of victims will be on display at mount pleasant town hall for 24 hours for friends and family to socially distance and visit.

The virtual event with narcan trainig and stories from survivors as well as family members of victims will take place tonight at seven.

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