Tennessee Department of Health Joins New CDC Suicide Prevention Program
September 27, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Health today announced receipt of a $750,000 funding award for suicide prevention efforts over the next five years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program includes a focus on vulnerable populations at increased risk for suicide.
Tennessee One of Nine Programs Funded for Suicide Prevention
Tennessee Together Student Survey Highlights Opportunity for Parents to Prevent Youth Substance Use
February 18, 2020
Nashville, TN – Parents have a valuable opportunity to influence their children’s use of substances if they approach the conversation in early middle school grades, but these conversations are only happening for about half of Tennessee youth. That is one of the primary takeaways highlighted by the first-ever TN Together Student Survey.
This data shows that Tennessee youth appear to misuse alcohol and marijuana at lower rates than national averages. Rates of misuse of prescription pain relievers are comparable to the national average and tobacco use is about two percent higher than the national average. Comparing state-specific statistics over time, Tennessee youth reported misusing alcohol, tobacco, and pain relievers at lower rates in 2016–2017 than in 2011–2012.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 27th
October 26, 2018
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Nashville, TN – Tennesseans have a powerful opportunity to prevent drug addiction in their homes and communities by participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, October 27th, 2018 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday.
Tennessee Department of Health Finds Some Overdose Deaths Associated With Buprenorphine
January 8, 2018
Nashville, TN – Buprenorphine is an important part of treatment for many with substance use disorder, and coupled with therapy and support it can save lives. However, Tennessee Department of Health data show an increase in deaths associated with buprenorphine when the drug is used with another respiratory depressant.
As organizations and individuals across Tennessee work to reduce the impact of the epidemic of drug overdoses in our state, TDH is raising awareness of risks associated with buprenorphine when combined with other drugs.
Buprenorphine Coupled with Counseling Effective in Addiction Treatment, but Has Risk for Misuse.
Tennessee Leaders Call for Increased Awareness about Fentanyl
June 16, 2017
Nashville, TN – Fentanyl: It’s here; it’s deadly and not just illegal users are at risk. Along with fentanyl there are other, more powerful drugs like carfentanil that are being used in counterfeiting legal drugs like Percocet and even counterfeiting of illegal heroin.
That’s the message leaders from the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security provided today during a press conference at TBI headquarters in Nashville.
Tennessee Leaders say Misuse of the Powerful Drug Fentanyl and it’s Derivatives are Causing Overdoses and Deaths.
Tennessee issues Public Health Advisory on Fentanyl
April 30, 2017
Nashville, TN – Fentanyl, an exceptionally powerful drug used legally to treat extreme pain, has found its way to the illegal drug market, and it is killing people.
According to three departments and one agency of Tennessee State Government, overdose deaths associated with fentanyl are increasing in the state and law enforcement officials have found the drug in counterfeit versions of commonly misused pain relief pills.
Misuse and Accidental Use of Powerful Drug Fentanyul can be Fatal.
Youth Substance Use Declining in Tennessee
February 18, 2017
Hope for a Brighter Future
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is proud to announce that youth substance use trends are declining in Tennessee, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.
Tennessee Government Releases Action Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
January 6, 2017
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services administering multi-agency, collaborative plan to improve services for the homeless
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), in partnership with both the U.S. and Tennessee Interagency Councils on Homelessness, today released an action plan to end chronic homelessness in the Volunteer State.
The collaborative plan brings together multiple federal, state, county, and local government agencies, and community partners providing a systematic approach to help eliminate homelessness over the next 10 years.
1,451 Tennesseans Die from Drug Overdoses in 2015
November 17, 2016
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Health data show 1,451 people died from drug overdoses in the state in 2015.
This is the highest annual number of overdose deaths recorded in state history and brings the five-year total for Tennessee to 6,036 lives lost. That figure is approximately the equivalent of every person on 40 mid-size jet liners dying.
Deadly Epidemic of Substance Use Disorders Continues to Grow in Tennessee.
