NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The opioid crisis is no stranger to Nashville, but now, new data from the Metro Health Department reveals how severe the deadly trend is.
It’s a reality that hits close to home for millions. In Nashville, community members, law enforcement, and city leaders are not only taking notice but also looking at taking action.
“The deaths are going up at an astronomical rate,” said Councilmember Jeff Syracuse.
Back in August, Syracuse was appointed as chair of the Public Health and Safety Committee. Since then, as part of his new role, he is focusing on the opioid epidemic. Fatal crashes, traffic-related deaths outpacing record levels in Nashville this year.
“It’s quite alarming when we see the numbers rise,” Syracuse said. “You’re taking your life in your hands when you don’t know where these drugs are coming from.”
According to the Metro Nashville Health Department, since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, more people have died from a suspected fatal overdose. That’s in Nashville alone.