NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new report from the TN Department of Health shows that 26 Montgomery County residents died from drug overdoses in 2014.

The number of Tennesseans who die each year due to drug overdoses increased again in 2014. The total of overdose deaths rose by nearly 100, from 1,166 in 2013 to a record-setting 1,263 in 2014.

The Health Department says more people died from drug overdoses in Tennessee last year than were killed in motor vehicle accidents.

“If you, a friend or a loved one is at risk for an opioid overdose, talk with your healthcare provider about a very safe antidote that anyone can learn to administer,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “In many opioid overdoses, death can be prevented by administering the drug naloxone, almost immediately reversing the deadly effects of opioids and allowing time to reach further medical treatment.

While overdose deaths can occur anytime, the most high-risk individuals are those using escalating doses and those using a combination of drugs, such as opioids and benzodiazepines.

The 2014 total continues a disturbing trend. Tennessee confirmed drug overdose deaths and incidence rates per 100,000 people for the last four years are:

2014 1,263 deaths 19.3 rate
2013 1,166 deaths 17.9 rate
2012 1,094 deaths 16.9 rate
2011 1,062 deaths 16.6 rate

For comparison purposes, here are some other causes of death in Tennessee in 2014:

Diabetes Mellitus 1,724
Pneumonia and Influenza 1,599
Drug Overdoses 1,263
Discharge of firearms 1,016
Motor vehicle accidents 989
Hypertension and Kidney diseases 636

In July 2014, Tennessee became the 18th state to pass a “Good Samaritan” law centered on the lifesaving medicine naloxone. TDH has information on the law and training available online at http://tn.gov/health/topic/information-for-naloxone.

In all cases when naloxone is administered, it’s important to call 911 as quickly as possible because naloxone provides only temporary reversal of an overdose. When first responders arrive, they should be informed naloxone has been administered and they should be given the empty syringe or nasal spray device. This will help greatly with their life-saving efforts.

The overdose victim may experience intense withdrawal and it is important he or she be treated as quickly as possible by healthcare professionals to ensure medical care is continued to save the person’s life. If the overdose victim is not treated quickly by healthcare professionals, the victim may die when the temporary effects of naloxone end.

For more information about naloxone, visit the American Public Health Association website
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2661437/.