After Son's Death, Nashville Mayor Talks Opioid Crisis
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry shares her experience as a parent losing her son to a drug overdose and what she's doing now to tackle the epidemic in her city.
Max Barry's 911 Calls Reveal Drug Addiction's Impact on Families
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - The 911 call made to police in Littleton, CO, on July 29 shows the tragic details of how 22-year-old Max Barry died, more than 1,000 miles away from the city where his mother is mayor. The News 4 I-Team obtained the 911 call on the same day Barry’s autopsy was released, showing his accidental death was the result of a combination of opioids, sedatives, cocaine and marijuana in his system. The caller, who identifies himself as Travis, said Barry came ove
Mayor Megan Barry Opens Up about Son's Drug Use and Death in Return to Work
Mayor Megan Barry, returning to her regular duties as Nashville's mayor Monday, opened up publicly about the death of her son, Max, from an apparent drug overdose and pivoted to a new role — a voice in the national opioid crisis. At an emotional news conference from the desk of her office, Barry thanked Nashvillians for their outpouring of support, which she said provided a "counter-balance" to her grief after the death of her 22-year-old son on July 29. She also addressed Ma
The Opioid Epidemic in TN: Background on Reducing Demand for Opioids
Tennessee has made progress in reducing the supply of prescription opioids by targeting efforts to improve provider prescribing practices and reducing the number of pill mills. However, the epidemic is evolving with individuals appearing to switch from prescription opioids to illicit and stronger opioids like heroin and fentanyl. At the same time, opioid overdoses and the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) continue to rise. The nature of addiction
Nashville Mayor Barry Speaks after Son's Death
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has returned to work one week after the death of her son, Max. Barry spoke publicly for the first time Monday, where she opened up about her son's death. "I don't want his death to define his life but we have to have a frank conversation about how he died. We don't have the full autopsy yet, we don't have the final toxicology report, but the reality is that Max overdosed on drugs,” Barry said. “Max will continue to inspire me and
Pain-Free Detox Device Now Available in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Battling drug addiction in East Tennessee is difficult, but the process of ending drug use can be even worse. The process is commonly known as detox, and for some people, the symptoms of detox are scary. Local 8 News Anchor Lauren Davis explored a Knoxville clinic that is trying to help people quit, while keeping the pain away. It looks like a hearing aid, but experts say a new small machine has big effects. It's called The Bridge device, and it's d
Mayor Megan Barry: Thank you, Nashville
At around 3 a.m. Sunday, July 30, my husband, Bruce, and I awoke to a knock on the door. We proceeded to receive the most devastating news a parent could ever hear — that our beloved son, Max, had left this world before us. In those next few moments, we were crushed by a weight of sadness and grief — of pain and disbelief. But within hours, we were surrounded by close friends who came to us in our time of need to shoulder this great pain and burden. Shortly thereafter, we rel
Mayor Megan Barry: Thank You, Nashville
At around 3 a.m. Sunday, July 30, my husband, Bruce, and I awoke to a knock on the door. We proceeded to receive the most devastating news a parent could ever hear — that our beloved son, Max, had left this world before us. In those next few moments, we were crushed by a weight of sadness and grief — of pain and disbelief. But within hours, we were surrounded by close friends who came to us in our time of need to shoulder this great pain and burden. Shortly thereafter, we rel
Mayor Megan Barry Opens Up about Son's Drug Use and Death in Return to Work
Mayor Megan Barry, returning to her regular duties as Nashville's mayor Monday, opened up publicly about the death of her son, Max, from an apparent drug overdose and pivoted to a new role — a voice in the national opioid crisis. At an emotional news conference from the desk of her office, Barry thanked Nashvillians for their outpouring of support, which she said provided a "counter-balance" to her grief after the death of her 22-year-old son on July 29. She also addressed Ma
Doc’s Research Prompts New Guidelines for Getting Pregnant Women Off Drugs
For the past five years, Dr. Craig Towers has been treating his pregnant patients with addiction issues the way he thought best – at times, against the guidelines of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. That changed this week – because ACOG has amended its own guidelines as a result of Towers’ research. ACOG once said detoxing while pregnant should be avoided at all costs. The congress still maintains medication-assisted therapy is the preferred treatment