Henry McMaster on Drugs

Opioids: awareness, information, treatment, & enforcement

For the last three years, we had more opioid-related deaths in South Carolina than homicides and drunk driving deaths combined. In 2016, this "silent hurricane" killed 616 people.

And it's not just pills. Addictions intensify from one substance to another. From 2014 to 2016, heroin deaths increased 67%, plus a more than 700% increase in cases involving fentanyl.

We must take a bold new approach to this unprecedented threat. It consists of a "full court press," including awareness, information and treatment. Last month, I declared a statewide public health emergency. This allows us to bring the full power of the state's emergency management infrastructure, health care apparatus and law enforcement resources to bear--as a single team--upon the growing epidemic of opioid deaths, addiction and abuse.

Operation Jackpot: keep drugs off the streets

• 2007: Led largest meth bust in state history : Coordinated with the Greenville County Sheriff's office and conducted the largest methamphetamine bust and prosecution in state history.
• 2010: Created a partnership to stop terrorists and traffickers : In conjunction with the South Carolina National Guard and law enforcement launched an effort to stop the financing of international terrorism through proceeds from human trafficking and the sale of narcotics here in South Carolina.
• 1983: Launched Operation "Jackpot": As United States Attorney, he launched "Operation Jackpot," the interdisciplinary financial investigation into international drug smuggling, producing over 100 convictions and keeping drugs off the streets of South Carolina.