Keeping Overdose Awareness Top Of Mind

International Overdose Awareness Day is Monday.

Almost 200 people die everyday in the United States due to overdosing. Tennessee Overdose Specialist Suzanne Angel said the Upper Cumberland is particularly hard hit by the problem.

“Everyday, we see lives around being changed in result to overdose,” Angel said. “It does not discriminate. It could be you, someone you love, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor. International Overdose Day just brings awareness, education and a time of remembrance for the lives lost.”

Angel said in order to help, people need to learn the symptoms of overdose and openly discuss drug addiction. Overdosing is the number one reason of death for people younger than 50 years old.

“There is an emergency medication that can reverse an opioid overdose when administered in time,” Angle said. “We need people to know how to use it and carry it.”

Multiple trainings on how to administer Naloxone will be held across the Upper Cumberland through early September. That includes August 31st at the Historic Courthouse in Carthage. You can learn in Gainesboro at 705 S Grundy Quarles Highway on September 5th and 14th. Training will take place at 139 East Lake Avenue in Clay County and 2535 N. Washington Ave in Putnam County on September 5th.

“I hear from our EMS, our law enforcement and our families all the time the number of overdoses are going up,” Angel said. “And we also get more calls for replacement of Naloxone, because people have used their kit,”

Angel said timely use of Naloxone can be the difference between life or death. For more information on training or symptoms of overdose, visit TN Save A Life Facebook page or call (615)-588-1622.

COVID guidelines will be followed at all events.