Clay Anti-Drug Coalition Hosting Movie Night For Awareness
The Clay County Anti-Drug Coalition hosting a memorial and movie night event to spread awareness of overdoses. Prevention Coordinator Kody Thompson said overdose awareness is near and dear to the Coalition’s hearts. Thompson said the theme of this year’s event will be “here as one big family driven by hope,” so it was important to […]
Cumberland Prevention Spreads Overdose Education Tuesday
The Cumberland Prevention Coalition hopes to shed light on the overdose issue Tuesday through a community awareness event. Prevention Coordinator Natalie Hoskins said more awareness may help prevent future overdoses and prevent the deaths. Hoskins said the community should know that overdose is an issue in Cumberland County. “If we can bring it out and […]
UCHRA Public Transit Implementing Overdose Protection
UCHRA will equip Public Transportation drivers with naloxone nasal spray, an overdose-prevention medication. Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Justin Cantrell said making the life-saving medication available will lighten the workload for law enforcement and first responders. He said he hopes this makes a dent in overdose rates, the leading cause of death for Americans between the […]
10 Overdose Deaths Across The UC This Past Week
A synthetic opioid more potent than fentanyl has caused 10 overdose deaths in the Upper Cumberland over the last several days. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said the drug is called Carfentanil. A drug developed as an elephant tranquilizer that is often used directly or as a heroin lacing. “Obviously some of those are in […]
Putnam Seeing Uptick In Fake Prescription Pills, Overdoses And Deaths
The DEA has issued a warning about a spike in fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said Putnam County is no different, seeing a spike over the last seven to eight months. Farris said in the last 12 months, there has been 24 overdose calls, resulting in seven deaths. […]
International Overdose Awareness Day Encourages More Education About Addiction
Record overdose numbers in the Upper Cumberland indicate a greater need for awareness of the dangers of addiction and overdose. That’s according to Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Suzanne Angel. Tuesday is International Overdose Awareness Day, and Angel said that the key to bringing awareness to the issue comes from talking. “I think we need to […]
DeKalb Community Rallying To Remember Those Lost To Addiction
DeKalb County residents who have lost someone they love to a drug overdose will be gathering together Thursday. DeKalb Prevention Coalition Director Jennifer Matthews said candles have been replaced with purple glow sticks for the vigil event. Matthews said purple is the color signifying overdose awareness, uniting the community behind one cause. “It’s to remember […]
UC Overdoses Following State Trends, Numbers Climbing
The Upper Cumberland continues to see climbing numbers of drug overdoses, according to experts. Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Colby Lane said that fentanyl is the driving force behind most of the overdoses. Lane said that law enforcement sees traces of the drug in almost everything. “Drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine,” Lane said. “They said they’re […]
Putnam Seeing Homicide, Suicide Increase Recently
Putnam County has seen a spike in homicides, suicides and overdoses in recent months. County Coroner Tommy Copeland said additional money to fund autopsies, investigations and death certificates has been requested twice. Copeland said it had been several years since deaths had increased to a level where more funding was required. “I’m with law enforcement […]
Cumberland County Man Indicted For Second-Degree Murder After Woman OD’s
A Cumberland County man has been indicted for Second Degree Murder after allegedly providing methamphetamine to a woman who overdosed. On Friday, deputies booked Mark Christopher Brown into the Cumberland County Jail on a $150,000 bond for Second Degree Murder, Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance and Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Tennessee […]
