NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — New statistics from the Metro Public Health Department help illustrate what health officials call an "overdose crisis."
The numbers come from the departments quarterly report on overdoses. According to the data, the number of deadly drug overdoses in the first half of 2019 rose by 20 percent compared to the first half of 2018. Sixty percent of those 2019 overdoses involved Fentanyl, an increase from 2018.
"Looking at the general overdose numbers, just going up is concerning enough, but then in particular, looking at Fentanyl involved deaths, that is becoming a bigger problem," MPHD's Trevor Henderson said.
The department also saw a 76 percent rise in overdose-related emergency department visits.
Department officials also noted that as of October, Fentanyl-related deaths this year have already matched the total number reported last year in Davidson County.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you can call the Tennessee REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789.
