State drug overdose deaths increase in ’17

Drug overdoses killed 1,776 Tennesseans in 2017, up from 1,631 in 2016, according to data released Monday by the Tennessee Department of Health.

The death toll is the state’s highest since drug overdose reporting began, with prescription opioids representing the most common drugs associated with the deaths.

“Few of us have escaped a direct impact of this crisis in experiencing the tragic death of a family member, loved one or friend,” Dr. John Dreyzehner, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, said in a statement. “The good news is this has spurred us collectively to more action than ever before and while prescription drugs still account for the majority of deaths, there is new hope on the horizon in many areas.”

Almost three-fourths of drug overdose deaths in Tennessee last year were associated with opioids, a class of drugs that is addictive and can cause serious or fatal side effects, particularly when taken in high doses with other substances.

Of those deaths, 644 were associated with prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and

codeine, for pain. Deaths related to “street” drugs obtained without a prescription — particularly fentanyl that’s sometimes mixed into other drugs without the user’s knowledge — were a key driver of the increase in overdose deaths.

Fentanyl, which is similar to heroin but much more potent and dangerous, was associated with 500 deaths, a 70 percent increase since 2016. Heroin was associated with the deaths of 311 Tennesseans in 2017, a 20 percent increase over the previous year.

“You can’t know what you’re getting when you buy drugs on the street, and that makes them extremely dangerous,” said Dr. David Reagan, chief medical officer for the department. “We are alarmed by the growing number of Tennesseans dying from drug overdoses, especially involving fentanyl.”

Substance abuse is a treatable and preventable disease. Call the Tennessee REDLINE at 1-800-8899789 for immediate help for anyone suffering from a substance use disorder, and learn more about the TN Together plan to end Tennessee’s opioid crisis at www.tntogether.com.