The Tennessee Department of Health released data showing that 1,451 people died from drug overdoses in Tennessee in 2015. Officials say this is the highest annual number of overdose deaths recorded in state history.
6,036 lives have been lost due to drug overdoses in Tennessee in the past five years.
The numbers included 14 overdose fatalities in Coffee County. Nearby Franklin County had 13. The most reported was 188 in Shelby County. To protect the identities of victims, the Tennessee Department of Health did not release data for counties with less than one dozen overdose deaths. 8 counties reported zero deaths.
Data indicates nearly 72 percent of the 1,451 drug overdose deaths last year involved opioids, with the vast majority being unintentional.
Deaths involving fentanyl rose from 69 in 2014 to 174 in 2015. Deaths involving heroin rose from 147 to 205.
If you or someone you know is ready to get assistance with addiction, call the Tennessee REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789.
Overdose Deaths Up in Tennessee–14 in Coffee Co. in 2015
