Overdose deaths skyrocket during pandemic

South Carolina’s health leaders released data showing stark increases in overdose-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. DHEC released new numbers on Tuesday showing drug overdose deaths jumped by more than 50% from 2019 to 2020. Saundra Hilton, who lost her only child in 2017 to drug addiction, said she is sharing her daughter's story in hopes it'll raise awareness. "I had a choice – I could sit here every day and do nothing," Hilton said, "or I could try and help others – which I know that’s what my daughter would want me to do.” Hilton's daughter, Kayla, was only 30 years old. “First started with opioids, we found out she was taking pills," Hilton said. "Then when she couldn’t afford them, she started doing heroin. She actually died from a bad needle. She died from sepsis, which is an infection that gets in your bloodstream.” READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/hea...