Drug use is increasing at an alarming rate in the United States, especially in Tennessee.
According to Overmountain Recovery, “3,826 Tennesseans died from drug overdose in 2022. Of those deaths, 3,073 were from opioids,” where many of the deaths derived from the combination of unlicensed fentanyl.
Opioids — which come from an opium poppy plant — are extremely addictive and accessible as they are normally prescribed by doctors to treat significant pain.
According to the Tennessee state government, “Each year, more opioid prescriptions are written than there are people living in Tennessee with more than 1 million prescriptions left over.”
At a more specific glance, communities that are hit hard with opioid misuse are residents in rural communities like East Tennessee. This area has the largest opioid consumption in the state.
Laurie Meschke, a professor of public health at UT, said that these rural areas — especially the Appalachian region — are negatively marketed to by large pharmaceutical companies.
Meschke also said that most jobs in East Tennessee have a higher risk of injury and offer limited sick leave options. These economic challenges make pain medications appealing.
Additionally, East Tennessee has a shortage of treatment and recovery resources, along with a significant stigma surrounding substance use.
Inspired by her own family members’ experiences with addiction, Meschke also works with the Combating Opioid Use in Rural Appalachia with Grace and Evidence program.
The Department of Public Health website states, “COURAGE is a HRSA-supported project that brings together UT researchers, community partners and local faith-based organizations to fight against and prevent opioid abuse.”
Another resource at UT for drug addiction is the Center for Health Education and Wellness. This center acknowledges the heightened focus on opioid use and is launching a new program called Can You Narcan? to address this issue.
Elle Peeples is the wellness coordinator at UT for alcohol and other drugs at the center.
“Naloxone, commonly known by brand name Narcan, is an easy-to-use nasal spray that can completely reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” Peeples said. “It cannot be misused and is completely safe to use if you even suspect an overdose has occurred, with extremely rare incidents of side effects.”
To implement this initiative, the Center of Health Education and Wellness will host monthly events offering free naloxone training and distribution. This will begin next semester when they start accepting appointments.
It’s crucial to be aware of the signs in others who may be using opioids. John Hopkins Medicine states that noticeable symptoms include unexplained weight loss, altered sleep patterns, fatigue, withdrawal from relationships and more.
When these symptoms become apparent and severe, it is common for that individual to experience an opioid use disorder.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, OUD is a complicated condition marked by an uncontrollable urge to use opioid drugs, even when the individual desires to quit or when their drug use adversely impacts their physical and emotional health.
Meschke spoke of the significance of opioid use among young college students since their undeveloped brains make them more susceptible to addiction.
“For some people, three to five days of opioid use is enough to initiate addiction and the experience of withdrawal symptoms, yet a seven day prescription of opioids after wisdom teeth extraction remains common,” Meschke said.
Meschke said the Knox County Health Department, Metro Drug Coalition and the Center for Care and Resilience’s 974-HELP line are other off-campus resources.
“Addiction is a disease of the brain, not a personal failing,” Meschke said. “All people with addiction challenges deserve to be supported in leading healthier lives.”
