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TENNESSEE OVERDOSE PREVENTION

Educating, Implementing and Developing Resources for TN's Good Samaritan and Naloxone Laws

East Tennessee Opioid Conference Draws Hundreds to Talk about Solutions, Marijuana

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — For the third year in a row, hundreds of medical professions and community members gathered to discuss how they can best tackle the opioid epidemic in East Tennessee. In 2018, the Tennessee Department of Health recorded more than 500 drug overdose deaths in the East Tennessee and Knoxville/Knox County Regions. A recent 10News investigation showed authorities are responding to overdoses nearly everywhere in the community, including restaurants, public bath

Choosing Dance Over Drugs: DEA Program Partners with Elementary Schools

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For some East Tennessee kids, stepping to the beat is a step towards beating the spread of drug use. The Drug Enforcement Agency partnered with three local elementary schools to help steer children away from illegal drugs, and towards dance as a healthy alternative. At Dogwood, Pond Gap, and New Hopewell elementary schools, fifth grade students signed up for hip-hop dance lessons, hosted by the DEA 360 Youth Dance Program. "Our goal is that through educatio

A Doctor’s Radical Treatment for Pregnant Addicts? Get Them Clean

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In the soft glow of the ultrasound machine in the dimly lighted exam room, Dr. Craig Towers offered his patient this assessment: “Your baby is doing great!” But Emily Lenderman barely registered the good news. The 22-year-old was miserable. A raging staph infection had overrun the right side of her face, her skin was clammy and dark bags shadowed her eyes. Her head lolled side to side. Towers didn’t need a drug test to confirm Lenderman, 14 weeks pregnant,

Tennessee Joins Investigation into Vaping Company Juul Labs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee joined a coalition of 39 states Tuesday investigating vaping products manufacturer Juul’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting of youth, claims regarding nicotine content, and statements regarding risks, safety and effectiveness as a smoking cessation device. Attorneys general from Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, Oregon and Texas will lead the multistate investigation into San Francisco-based Juul, which also is facing lawsuits

Tennessee doctor convicted in region’s first ‘Opioid Strike Force Takedown’

A Tennessee doctor pleaded guilty Friday to distributing opioids to people who were not his patients, marking the first conviction for the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force. Richard Farmer, an 83-year-old psychiatrist from Memphis, was found guilty of three counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said. A psychiat

Lewisville Police Seize Nearly 600 Pounds of Meth in Massive Drug Bust

Lewisville police on Sunday seized nearly 600 pounds of drugs in what officers say is one of the largest drug busts they've seen in the city. A total of 595 pounds of methamphetamine was discovered hidden inside a big rig after Lewisville police were asked to help investigate a tip about "a suspicious tractor-trailer located near a major highway," according to a police news release. Lewisville officer Pat Robey and his K-9 partner, Stryker, discovered the drugs in a hidden co

Perfect 10: Hopewell Provides Hope

He nearly lost everything to addiction, but now he's using his former trials and tribulations to help others in similar situations. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — From the highs of athletic excellence to the lows serving jail time, Reico Hopewell has seen it all. He nearly lost everything to addiction, but now he's using his former trials and tribulations to help others in similar situations. Hopewell, who said God took the taste for drugs away after praying in his jail cell, started the

Grandparents Caring for Grandkids Could Get Money under Proposed Tenn. Bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — A Tennessee bill proposed by Senator Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville) could provide childcare payments to family members in need. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members who have been given custody of their relative's children could benefit from the bill. Kim Valentine is a grandmother raising two of her daughter's children. "Our children are the collateral damage of the opioid epidemic. And they didn't ask to be born, but they've been born

Proposed Bill Would Pay Child Support to Relatives Raising Kids of Opioid-Addicted Parents

An East Tennessee lawmaker wants to provide financial assistance to grandparents and other relatives who are raising the children of opioid-addicted parents. Sen. Richard Briggs introduced SB0011 last year and he's ready to give it another push this year using unused money from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. Sgt. Ammie Acosta achieved her goals in the Army Reserve. Be like Ammie. Visit goarmyreserve.com to start on yours. In 2018, the United States

Cheatham County Man Overdoses 3 Times in 1 Day

A Cheatham County man overdosed three times in one day this week, bringing a renewed focus on the opioid problem in Tennessee. Since New Year’s Day, Cheatham County first responders have administered 37 doses of Narcan to 22 patients. Cheatham County sheriff’s deputies also carry the drug as a precaution and Cheatham County Sheriff Mike Breedlove said the number could be even higher than paramedics have reported. “This dose number is low because I do not know how many times d

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