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 bathrooms, parks and even the parent pick-up line of an East Knox County elementary school. "Really, it's a huge issue," said Doug Nemesek, chief medical officer for behavioral health at Cigna. "It's impacting the health of

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 education and prevention, the DEA 360 program, along with the Coordinated School Health program... sends the message to young boys and girls that illegal drugs are dangerous, and that dance is healthy and a fun exercise," said B

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, was in the throes of opioid addiction, and this morning still showed the effects of having used the drug the day before. That was why Lenderman had driven 70 miles to see Towers, one of the few physicians who specializes

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 by teenagers and others who say they became addicted to the company’s vaping products. “Youth e-cigarette usage is a serious public health concern for Tennessee,” General Slatery said. “Public health research shows that

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 psychiatrist from West Tennessee has been convicted of giving opioids to people who were not his patients. According to the evidence presented during his trial, Farmer prescribed opioids to three sisters with whom he was having

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 compartment of the truck, the release said. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/lewisville-police-seize-nearly-600-pounds-of-meth-in-massive-drug-bust/2317628/

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 Mend House. It's a forty-bed sober living community. Recently, Overcoming Believers Church named Hopewell a Black History Month Hero. That makes him this week's Perfect 10. You can learn more about the Mend House at the

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 into a situation they've got no control over," explained Valentine. A three-year pilot program would compensate caregivers at half the full foster care even if the child has not been placed in state custody. "We have 70,

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. In 2018, the United States Census Bureau estimated there are nearly 77,000 grandparents responsible for their grandkids in Tennessee. The data shows about 36,000 of them were taking care of their grandchildren for five or more years. "The problem is that they don't receive any aid from the state other than TennCare and food stamps," he said. "And we had one gr

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 Census Bureau estimated there are nearly 77,000 grandparents responsible for their grandkids in Tennessee. The data shows about 36,000 of them were taking care of their grandchildren for five or more years. "The problem

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 deputies have administered it,” he said in a text message to the Tennessean on Thursday. Cheatham County is mostly rural and borders both Metro Nashville and Clarksville-Montgomery counties in Middle Tennessee. The popula

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — When Jason Goodman was in the early stages of recovery, he wondered where others in recovery would go. He was attending meetings, treatment and church services. But what was he supposed to do in between? "In music, the real beauty is in between the notes. A lot of recovery happens in between the notes," Goodman said. "Earlier in my process, I just needed to know where to go." In mid-October, the Metro Drug Coalition announced plans for "The Gateway," a community recovery center that will offer a host of resources under one roof. It will also help create a network of individuals in recovery that can support and help each other through the process. "I need to know where the

Angelee Murray from ReVIDA Recovery Center is here to talk about an important event focusing on the opioid crisis. https://www.wbir.com/video/news/local/od-epidemic/revida-recover-centers-holding-event-to-focus-on-opioid-crisis-in-the-workplace/51-8379ef54-6f0f-48a3-a8fe-03c4c7e94acc

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — Authorities in Lenoir City have discovered a large marijuana grow operation in two downtown locations and arrested a local business owner. After an eight-week investigation, officers with the Lenoir City Police Department and the 9th Judicial Drug Task Force executed search warrants at a home on 911 W. Broadway and on Dr. Marty's Car Care located at 400 E. Broadway, both owned by 38-year-old John Nicolas Rebori III. In the home, they found a "significant" marijuana grow operation utilizing both hydroponics and potted plants. Lenoir City Police Chief Don White said there were at up to 85 mature high-grade marijuana plants, each capable of producing at least a pound of pot

Tennessee's 82 recovery courts are judicially-supervised court dockets that reduce correctional costs, protect community safety, and improve public welfare. In recovery courts, non-violent individuals with substance use disorders participate in treatment while under close legal and clinical supervision.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Two Tennessee lawmakers are seeking to increase the amount of marijuana possessed to be considered a violation of simple possession. ALSO SEE: Tennessee bill would allow 1/2 ounce sale of marijuana taxed for schools, infrastructure Under current Tennessee law, simple possession is defined as being in possession of a 1/2 ounce of marijuana. Bills submitted by Rep. Antionio Parkinson (D-Memphis) and Sen. Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis) would raise the limit for possession to one ounce. The bill also adds language which would prohibit law enforcement or other agencies from inferring anyone in possession of an ounce of marijuana had the intent to sell the substance. Howeve

CLARIFICATION: A previous version of the story unclearly stated that there were 105 drug-related deaths in 2018. That figure was based on overdose death data from the Chattanooga Police Department, which calculates drug-related deaths differently than the Tennessee Department of Health and county medical examiner. The Tennessee Department of Health determined that 66 people in Hamilton County died from drug overdoses in 2018. Three out of four drug-related deaths in Hamilton County last year involved methamphetamine or fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine — according to provisional data from the county medical examiner. Farrar presented the

The faith-based recovery program Rescue 180 received a $125,000 grant in January. With the money, the group hired someone who overcame addiction. https://www.wbir.com/video/news/local/od-epidemic/jefferson-county-recovery-program-aims-to-end-stigma-of-life-after-addiction-hires-addict-in-recovery/51-aa9bc6bf-e24c-414a-b09b-62eb1146050a

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — For 2-year-old Kayden Lambert, every day means progress. He was born dependent on the drugs his mother used. "We have dealt with [my daughter's] addiction for 17 years now," his grandmother Kathy Lambert, who adopted Kayden, said. "She's, right now, over 100 days clean, which is the first time in years." Finding a treatment facility for her daughter wasn't easy, Lambert said. "It has been very discouraging and very hard," Lambert said. "You could make phone call after phone call after phone call and everybody's got a waiting list." A new bill aimed at helping pregnant mothers or mothers with newborns overcome their addiction could help change that. Proposed by State Sena

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — For 2-year-old Kayden Lambert, every day means progress. He was born dependent on the drugs his mother used. "We have dealt with [my daughter's] addiction for 17 years now," his grandmother Kathy Lambert, who adopted Kayden, said. "She's, right now, over 100 days clean, which is the first time in years." Finding a treatment facility for her daughter wasn't easy, Lambert said. "It has been very discouraging and very hard," Lambert said. "You could make phone call after phone call after phone call and everybody's got a waiting list." A new bill aimed at helping pregnant mothers or mothers with newborns overcome their addiction could help change that. Proposed by State Sena