BGISD “Tough Conversations” series: Fentanyl in Schools

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Bowling Green Independent Schools is continuing its series of “Tough Conversations” with a seminar on Fentanyl getting into local schools. The district started this series earlier this year with conversations on drug awareness and cyber security for teens. The goal of these conversations is to give parents and students the tools and knowledge they need …

Kentucky hopes to make progress within national opioid crisis

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – In 2021, 2,250 Kentuckians died from a drug overdose, that’s a 14.5% increase from 2020. Fentanyl was found in more than 72% of those deaths, according to a report by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. White House Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Rahul Gupta is a physician from West Virginia, …

Tri-Cities authorities combat growing fentanyl use

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Virginia Senate passed a bill that declares fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism; meanwhile, local leaders and advocates in Sullivan County, Tennessee are working to address the growing problem the drug poses. “Right now, fentanyl is our number one drug of choice it seems like,” said Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus. “Last …

Fentanyl-laced drugs linked to cartels coming into Tennessee, officials say

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — Thanks to a multi-agency investigation, just over 103 pounds of fentanyl-laced drugs were taken off the streets and two Californians were arrested in Murfreesboro last weekend. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), 21-year-old Kevin Bucio-Arredondo and 20-year-old Leslie Heredia were taken into custody in Murfreesboro after being accused of transporting a large quantity of …

Tennessee moms who lost sons to fentanyl create a space for other parents

LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WHNT) – Fentanyl is a powerful and deadly synthetic drug. According to a recent study, there are more opioid deaths than gun deaths or car accidents in major cities. Fentanyl deaths in smaller communities have skyrocketed in recent months, and mothers in Fayetteville, Tenn. say children are dying in those communities as well.  Terri Myers and Tammie Elkins have formed …

Chattanooga hospitals see ‘significant’ spike in overdoses, Health Department warns

Chattanooga hospitals have treated a significant increase in non-fatal drug overdoses this week, according to an alert from the Hamilton County Health Department. Health Department officials said the overdoses are due to suspected fentanyl, opioids or other illicit drugs being used in the area, calling the wave of overdoses a public health threat that should be taken seriously. Read the …

East Tennessee officials tout new tool in fight against drug pipeline from Detroit

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)- Drug trafficking has become a significant issue here in East Tennessee and authorities say that many of these crimes can be traced back to groups in Detroit, Michigan. Law enforcement agencies have been trying to get a grip on the issue for years. Several East Tennessee District Attorneys on Thursday launched a new joint plan called the …

7 million deadly doses of fentanyl seized in Tennessee last year

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Last year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized 7 million lethal doses of fentanyl in Tennessee. “It’s a tragic and unfortunate number,” said DEA special agent Jeffrey Scott. “On the one hand, it speaks to the work that we’re doing. On the other hand, it speaks to the amount of fentanyl that’s actually washed across the …