The Lexington County Fire Service has delivered the lifesaving NARCAN antidote 53 times.
They and other SC firefighters are administering opioid overdose antidotes.
This is having a significant impact in the battle against opioid overdose deaths.
Those in South Carolina reached a milestone 200 naloxone administrations for suspected overdoses this year as of Oct. 21.
The Reducing Opioid Loss of Life (ROLL) program is voluntary and trains any fire department to administer the opioid antidote naloxone.
ROLL is administered by the Department of Health and Environmental Control  Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
It includes more than 1,700 firefighters in 113 units across the state.
SC piloted this program in 2017 to address the growing number of opioid overdoses and deaths, leading to 5 naloxone administrations in 2018 and 72 in 2019 as ROLL participation grew. 
Since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, SC has been hit with 49% greater suspected opioid overdoses and 1st responder naloxone administrations last year. 
“The ability to have this drug on our apparatus has made a tremendous impact in our community,” said Fire Chief Mark Davis of the Lexington County Fire Service. 
“Since the beginning of 2020 the Lexington County Fire Service has used NARCAN 53 times
“The Fire Service is extremely grateful for our partnership with DHEC and Lexington County Emergency Medical Services. Access to the ROLL program, from DHEC and the training, guidance and support from Lexington County EMS, have allowed the fire service to deliver a lifesaving treatment.”
The Lexington County Fire Service has been delivering the lifesaving drug naloxone since Aug. 2019.
From 2018 to 2019, opioid-involved overdose deaths in South Carolina increased 7%, from 816 to 876. All drug overdoses increased 3% across the state, from 1,103 to 1,131.