CHARLESTON, SC (WCBD) - According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2011, 4.2 million Americans 12 or older had used heroin at least once in their lives. They estimate 23% of users become dependent on the drug.

We wanted to learn more about heroin in the Lowcountry.

The Dorchester County Coroner's office tells us they have not had any heroin overdose deaths in the past year.

In Berkeley County, Coroner Bill Salisbury tells us there are very few heroin overdose deaths in Berkeley County.

In Charleston County, Chief Deputy Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neil tells us that while she does not have exact numbers, they do have a number of heroin overdose deaths in Charleston County each year. She says they often come in spurts as new drug dealers come into town, cutting the drug with different additives or selling more pure forms of heroin than what drug users are used to.

Charles Francis with the City of Charleston Police Department says Gary Lamontt Smith, a major heroin dealer in Charleston was convicted back in September and sentenced to 19 years in prison. He was one of 27 people arrested by Charleston Police in the Bridgeview Village Apartments area.

Source: http://www.counton2.com/story/24624391/in-light-of-hoffmans-heroin-overdose-we-take-a-look-at-heroin-overdoses-in-the-lowcountry

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