Tennessee’s Opioid Crisis: News 2 Explores Growing Epidemic Thursday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — News 2 took an in-depth look at the opioid crisis in Middle Tennessee throughout the day Thursday, Feb. 2.

About six out of 10 drug overdose deaths involve an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.

We shared the stories of both addicts and their families, of both hope and despair, as well as what law enforcement faces on the frontlines. These are their stories:

• Majority of Cheatham County crime stems from drug addictions

• Grieving Nashville parents share story of daughter’s addiction, death

• As number of overdoses rise in Tennessee, so does cost of opioid antidote

• Synthetic opioids rise in popularity despite grave dangers of abuse

• All-American couple works daily to overcome disease of addiction

• Tennessee has 3x average rate of babies born addicted to drugs

• Number of mothers using opioids while pregnant is rising in Tennessee

• Tennessee mother hopes to prevent others from pain of losing child to drugs

• Addict to Advocate: Mother of boy born drug-dependent strives to help others

• Prominent doctor shares eye-opening journey of own addiction

• Sale of drugs leads to evolution in how gangs operate

We also hosted a closed town hall at Trevecca University with panelists Nan Casey, Marie Williams, Dr. Stephen Lloyd, and Monty Burks. Click here to see the town hall.

http://wkrn.com/2017/01/27/news-2-investigates-tennessees-opioid-crisis-thursday/