Prosecutors are battling a spate of drug overdose deaths in Georgia, South Carolina

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) — A South Carolina attorney is calling for tougher penalties when it comes to fentanyl and the rise in overdose deaths.

Meanwhile, across the Savannah River in Georgia, there was a felony charge of a fatal fentanyl overdose.

They are indicative of a problem facing too many families in the two-state region.

In South Carolina, Jamie Tellock’s family has been affected by the problem.

It’s been over a year since they lost her.

“Loving. Very, very loving. Truly one of a kind. Loved by many,” her family said.

Jamie, a lover of animals and her large family, died of a fentanyl overdose in October 2020.

“We didn’t know how serious it was, how severe it was, how it affected people. How very, very dangerous it is,” said Jamie’s sister, Stephanie Tellock.

Seventh Circuit Attorney Barry Barnette has heard similar heartbreaking stories in recent years.

“It’s heartbreaking. They’re calling us, law enforcement, the DA’s office, and right now the only thing we can do is involuntary manslaughter on top of a drug offense,” he told the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Tuesday.

That’s why he advocates stuffer penalties.

Similar bills in the South Carolina House and Senate would create a drug-related homicide for people who sell or give away a drug that then kills.

Jamie’s family wishes there could be more legal action after her death.

“We have to do something. I don’t want her to die in vain. Just to save a life and make the penalties stronger, we have to start saving lives instead of losing them,” said Jamie’s mother Denise Tellock.

In Georgia, Alex King’s family went through similar pains.

“Alex died because someone gave him something poisoned and now we have to live the rest of our lives without him in our lives,” his stepfather Bryan Lugo said.

King was just 28 when investigators said he overdosed on fentanyl-laced pills in 2020.

Now, almost two years later, a man is being charged in his death.

Colin James Magill faces a felony for allegedly selling the fentanyl that led to King’s death. Columbia County District Attorney Bobby Christine announced the indictment Feb. 7, saying his office cracks down on such cases.

“It doesn’t take away the pain for our family, but for justice for Alex and for his mother, sisters, father, stepmother, me and his family,” Lugo said. “You know, we want someone to be held accountable for their death.”

From reports by Fox Carolina News and WRDW/WAGT

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