Tennessee sees a slowdown in overdose deaths
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Fatal drug overdoses are falling in Tennessee and nationwide after years of skyrocketing deaths.
Why it matters: The opioid crisis, which dramatically drove up overdose deaths, hit Tennessee particularly hard. It pulled down the state's life expectancy, devastated families and sent officials scrambling for ways to help.
- Leaders say they are hopeful this fledgeling trend might signal a turning point.
By the numbers: Tennessee's rate of fatal drug overdoses fell 6.6% in the latest data, from 56 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 52.3 in 2023, the CDC says.
- The U.S. saw its rate drop 4%, from 32.6 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 31.3 in 2023.
State of play: Tennessee is pouring tens of millions of dollars from opioid lawsuit settlements into the fight to save lives.
- The state also passed a 2022 law that made it easier for residents and organizations to access naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
- The medicine is a lifesaving tool if it is used quickly.
The big picture: Overdose prevention specialists across the state have distributed more than 678,000 units of naloxone since 2017, according to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
- The specialists have documented more than 82,000 lives saved.
Reality check: The downturn is a young trend, and even if it continues, the number of deaths remains troubling. Tennessee's overdose death rate still far outpaces the national figures.
- The state reports more than 3,800 people died from drug overdoses in 2023 alone.
- And the rate of overdose deaths is increasing in some states, like Alabama and Nevada.
What we're watching: New research happening in Nashville could upend the opioid crisis. A Vanderbilt University researcher is using artificial intelligence to develop a nonaddictive painkiller to serve as an alternative to opioids.
- His work is funded by a federal grant.
Get help: Addiction treatment services are available even if you can't pay.
- Call or text the Tennessee REDLINE at 800-889-9789 or visit FindHelpNowTN.org for a free and confidential referral.