August 13, 2019: Jamie Schoen, Assistant US Attorney for District of South Carolina, was our guest this week. She gave a presentation on the Opioid Crisis in the state. Jamie has been with the US Attorney’s Office for ten years and in the Charleston office for two years prosecuting drug and drug-related cases. She pointed out that she would be giving her person
al thoughts and opinions today and not necessarily that of the US Attorney’s Office.
Jamie presented statistics on overdose deaths that were shocking: there were 
six times as many opioid overdose deaths in 2017 compared to 1999, there were 192 Americans deaths each day in 2017, and nearly 494,000 heroin users. 4 out of 5 heroin users started with prescription pain pills. Jamie shared a slide listing the names of prescription opioids that we may be familiar with such as Codeine, Lortab, Oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin, and many more. It can take only 3 days for prescribed users to become opioid dependent. The SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) recently created a website and campaign to raise awareness of pain killer risks:
While there has been an increase in overdose deaths caused by commonly prescribed opioids, the biggest spike has been due to heroin and synthetic opioid (fentanyl) deaths. South Carolina statistics also reflect this spike. SC overdose deaths in 2012 were 573, and that jumped to 1,001 in 2017. Charleston County is experiencing this trend, with a 36% increase in fatal overdose from 2016 to 2017 and the highest number of deaths in the state.
Jamie pointed out that the demographic data can be surprising to many. For example, the second most deaths were in the 45-54 age range. And there are significant numbers in the 55+ age group as well. White males make up 56% of the SC opioid use.
Fentanyl has become a major problem in recent years. It is significantly more lethal than heroin, with a fatal dose as small as 2 milligrams. In many cases, users are not intending to take fentanyl. It is being sold as heroin or laced into other drugs to increase potency.
The Addiction Crisis Task Force is a team consisting of local police departments, Charleston County School District, Charleston Center, MUSC, EMS, and other agencies with goal of addressing the problem. In one example of their efforts, Jamie cited the Town of Mount Pleasant Police Department for implementing a process for handling overdose calls. In many cases an officer will transport the victim to Charleston Center for treatment, will engage family members, and will follow up within 48-72 hours after the call. Some other programs that have been introduced are NARCAN training and prescription drug take backs at local police departments. NARCAN is an overdose reversal drug, and Jamie said witnessing it reviving an overdosed person is incredible.
After her presentation, Jamie took several questions from the group, and she urged everyone to think about how we could participate in fighting this crisis.
Submitted by Jeff Webb, Keyway Committee
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
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- Charlie Patrick gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Charlie Patrick introduced visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Sandy Morckel presented Health and Happiness.
- Rob Dewey introduced our keynote speaker, Assistant US Attorney Jamie Schoen, who discussed the opioid epidemic.
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MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
August 20, 2019 | Issue 4938 | President: Sandy Morckel
COMING EVENTS
- Aug. 20 – No Meeting
- Aug. 27 – Coach Earl Grant, CofC Basketball
- Sept. 3 – No Meeting (Happy Labor Day!)
- Sept. 10 – Andy Manzi, Warrior Surf Foundation
- Sept. 17 – TBD
NEWS BRIEFS
No Meeting on Tuesday, August 20
Please note that we will NOT meet this coming Tuesday, August 20th.
Rotary Club of Charleston History Moment
At each meeting, President Sandy plans to share some of the snippets of our club’s amazing 100 year history and our impact on Charleston and around the world. It will be a fun trip down memory lane and will also be shared in the Keyway.
The 30’S (1935-1937)
The big project for the 1936 year was the beautification of Marion Square by
Rotarians who contribute and planted trees and shrubs. (And most recently it has been enhanced by the Rotary Fountain). Ladies’ Nights were very successful in 1935 and ’36 and it was proposed to have quarterly events for the ladies, but this idea was abandoned since the Rotary Club was an all male Club. It was reported by the Community Service Committee that it was recommending a $300 contribution to the Cripple Children’s fund. Also contributions were made to Roper Hospital, Boy Scouts, the Citadel Athletic Fund, and Bantam Football. Rotarian Buddy Thornhill was elected District Governor—our second one in 17 years.
Host Tobias, our International Exchange Student
Do you have an extra room in your home?
We are still searching for a third host family for our incoming Rotary Youth Exchange student Tobias, who will be with our club for the 2019-2020 school year. He will be attending school downtown at the Charleston Charter for Math & Science and we are looking for a good family to house him from mid-March through June.
If you are able to help or if you have non-Rotary friends that may be interested in housing an exchange student, please see the information sheet below and contact Richard Sidebottom ([email protected] ) or Karen Clark ([email protected]) for more information.Host family information sheet:
https://yehub.net/cgi-bin/sys-pdf.cgi?PGID=LIB&RID=79&DBID=SC1
Help End Polio Now – Attend Atlanta Braves Game on 9/22
Rotary and the Atlanta Braves have partnered to help the End Polio Now Campaign. Attend the September 22, 2019 Atlanta Braves game in Atlanta against the San Francisco Giants, and purchase the tickets through the link below, and a portion of each ticket will be donated to End Polio Now. The goal is for Rotarians, their families and invited guests to cheer on the Braves while helping our End Polio Campaign. The more tickets that are bought, the more can go towards the End Polio Now Campaign. And don’t forget, the Gates Foundation will match 2:1 the proceeds from the game.
- Atlanta Braves versus San Francisco Giants
- Sunday, September 22, 2019 – Game time 1:20 pm
- SunTrust Park, 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
- General Admission Tickets $12 ($5 goes to Polio)
- Home Run Porch Tickets $33 ($13 goes to Polio)
– Must use the link to donate a portion of each ticket to End Polio Now – https://groupmatics.events/event/Endpolio5
We are counting on our Rotarians to make this a success. As we get close to the full eradication of Polio more money is needed to get to the finish line. Go online today to order your tickets for you, your family, friends, anyone interested in Rotary. Let’s make this a great day to celebrate Rotary and the End Polio Campaign.
https://groupmatics.events/event/Endpolio5
50/50 Raffle Winner
We have our first WINNER! With a 1 in 8 chance of winning the raffle, Rotarian Jack Mitchell pulled the winning “yellow” ball! Jack won half the pot and took home $387.50! The raffle will start over at our next meeting on August 27 with a 1 in 10 chance to win, so continue bringing your cash to Rotary! You do need to be present to win. Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10.
Hootie Homegrown Photo Gallery
Thanks to all the Rotarians who turned out for the annual Hootie Homegrown Back to School event in Saturday, Sepemter 17. It was a great sucess and a super example of Rotary in action, this time helping local kids get off on the right foot for the new school year with needed supplies.
International Project in Santo Domingo, D.R.
RCCF Grants Being Accepted
The Rotary Club of Charleston Fund (RCCF) is accepting requests for grants. Interested organizations are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry and complete a grant application prior to September 1 to be considered. The application and other details regarding the grant process can be found on our club’s website — www.charleston-rotary.org. For more information, please contact RCCF Chair, Alissa Lietzow ([email protected]).
Dues Statements Emailed
Dues statements for the July 1-December 31 period were distributed via email on June 10. Past due statements were emailed this past week to those who haven’t made a payment. Please be sure to pay from this statement. If you did not receive a statement, please let Carroll know.
Our Club is on Social Media
Members are encourage to follow all of our social media channels and share posts with their followers too! We also need members to send us picture of anything they do that relates to Rotary – service projects, meetings, events, etc. We would love to keep our accounts full of smiling Rotarians! Photos can be send to Mike Sottak, [email protected], or Rob Byko, [email protected].
Member news
Welcome to our newest Rotarian, Tiffany Vanek! Tiffany was sponsored and introduced by President Sandy and will hold the classification of Retirement Community/Mgmt. Congratulations to Tiffany! We are excited to have her as a member.
Jeanne Jamme and Owen Clary were recognized by Rotary Foundation Chair, Karl Riner, with Paul Harris Fellows. Jeanne received a Paul Harris Fellow + 3 and Owen a Paul Harris Fellow + 7. Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations to Jeanne and Owen on their recognitions. Their continuous support of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation is much appreciated.
With much regret, the Board accepted the resignation of Margaret Ann Youngs. We will miss her and wish her all the best.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Charlie Palmer
- JOINED: February 2015 (previous member of the Ft. Walton Beach Rotary)
- SPONSOR: Ned Jervey
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: Current Board Member – Club Service Chair; RCCF Advisory Committee
- CLASSIFICATION: Real Estate/Development
- PROFESSION: Brokerage/Synthetic Grass Development – Golden Bear, LLC
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF: Scuba dove with Humpback whales and Galapagos sharks (Kauai/Lanai); Assisted State of SC DNR capture an 11 foot alligator; Ran with the Bulls of Pamplona (2 days in a row!)
Birthdays
- August 23 – Bill Prewitt
- August 26 – Rudy Gill
By the numbers
- Attendance on August 13, 2019: 56
- Not in attendance: Allen, Altman, Baggs, Bailey, Barry, Barton, Baus, Beam, Bini, Carico, Channell, Chico, Coe, Coghill, Cole, Cook, Cooper, E., Cooper, J., Cooper, M., Crouch, Deavenport, Diminich, Donnellon, Dopp, Echols, Embry, Gill, Giovanniello, Hanger, Husser, Jones, C., Kaynard, Leonard, Lucy, Matheny, Palmer, Plotner, Prewitt, Raver, Rich, Rust, Savage, Seguer, Shahid, Smith, M., Smith, M., Smith, P., Sottak, Strickland, Taylor, Tecklenburg, John, Tecklenburg, P., Thomas, Van Bergen, Wieters, Willey, Woodell
- Out of Town Make-ups: None
WELLNESS TIP
Sleep Well
Resist the urge to stay up later during long summer days. Instead pay attention to good sleep hygiene by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up schedule and not drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime.
It’s also a good idea to avoid naps during the day unless you take them every day at the same time, for the same amount of time.
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
- Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
- North Charleston: 12:30 a.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston.
- Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
- East Cooper Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cooper River Room at Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant
- Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
- Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Wednesdays
- Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
- St. John’s Parish (John’s Island): 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit 1, John’s Island
- Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Harbor Breeze Restaurant, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant
- Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
- North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Embassy Suites, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston
- Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
- St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
- Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m., Friday, Harbour Club, 35 Prioleau St., Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact with us through social media.
- We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
- We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
- We’re on Instagram. You can follow us @ChasRotaryClub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
- President: Sandy Morckel
- Keyway editor: Don Baus [email protected]
- Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]
- Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029 ,Charleston, SC 29413-1029
- Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved.