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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
As drug use rises across the United States, Tennessee is experiencing a continuing increase as well, particularly with the use of opioids.
State data shows that “each year, more opioid prescriptions are written than there are people living in Tennessee with more than 1 million prescriptions left over.” Tennessee currently ranks third in the country for opioid use.
Opioids are a highly addictive class of drugs that are easily accessible to individuals because physicians often prescribe them for pain management.
Statistics from Overmountain Recovery show that “3,826 Tennesseans died from drug overdose in 2022. Of those deaths, 2,073 were from opioids.”
East Tennessee has the greatest opioid consumption across the state, especially in rural areas.
According to Laurie Meschke, a public health professor at the University of Tennessee, pharmaceutical companies are partially to blame for the epidemic because of the excessive marketing done in this region.
Meschke also notes that the area is lacking in options for treatment and recovery, making it more difficult for those struggling with substance abuse to find help.
To help combat this issue, the UT Center for Health Education and Wellness is launching a new program called “Can You Narcan?” The program is aimed at college students. Organizers hope to give greater insight into the signs of opioid use, as well as provide training on how to administer Naloxone (brand name Narcan).
“Naloxone, commonly known by brand name Narcan, is an easy-to-use nasal spray that can completely reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” said Elle Peeples, Wellness Coordinator at UT. “It cannot be misused and is completely safe to use if you even suspect an overdose has occurred, with extremely rare incidents of side effects.”
These monthly events will be offered at the Center for Health Education and Wellness.
“Addiction is a disease of the brain, not a personal failing,” Meschke said. “All people with addiction deserve to be supported in leading healthier lives.”
One Response
Sick of da’gubmint trying to save people from themselves.
Their “solution” was pain clinics. Now, we who NEED relief, who aren’t misusers and abusers, have to drive long distances, and if you have to cancel an appointment, you’re in trouble.
Life was better for regular folks when the misusers and abusers just went their way.