1 death every 4 days from fentanyl overdose in Montgomery County

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – There has been a major spike in Fentanyl overdose deaths in recent years, and the numbers are shocking.

Since 2017, the number of fatal overdoses has begun to skyrocket. Data obtained from the Tennessee Department of Health, 2021 Tennessee Drug Overdose Deaths reflect a massive increase.

“In 2021, a total of 3,814 Tennesseans died of a drug overdose, representing a 26% increase from 2020,” according to the data obtained from the Tennessee Department of Health. “Over the past five years, drug overdose deaths in Tennessee increased consistently, however, the increase from 2019 to 2020 is the largest observed during this period.”

Toxic number of deaths from fentanyl

According to an article written by Senate RPC, in the first full year of the pandemic in the United States, through April 2021, the CDC says that more than 99,000 people died from drug overdoses. This represents an increase of nearly 30% from the 77,000 who died in the previous 12 months.

In total, 3,814 people died in 2021 from drug use, with the fentanyl catalyst surging the numbers forward.

In 2021, there were 95 fatal fentanyl overdoses in Montgomery County. By that math, almost every 4 days, someone dies as a result of overdosing on fentanyl.

Opioids have consistently played a role in drug overdose deaths in Tennessee and were involved in 80% of overdose deaths in 2021. The increase in opioid overdose deaths is primarily driven by deaths involving illicit fentanyl. Deaths involving opioids identified as pain relievers (i.e., those typically obtained through a prescription) have increased slightly after several years of decline, while deaths involving heroin have decreased significantly after several years of increase prior.

“My office is committed to prosecuting those who sell or deliver fentanyl in Montgomery and Robertson Counties,” District Attorney General Robert Nash said. “Those who manufacture, sell or deliver fentanyl will face three to 60 years of incarceration.  For those who sell or deliver and cause the death of another, Tennessee law makes such an act qualify as Second-Degree Murder, which carries 15-60 years of incarceration, all of which must be served at 100%. When comparing this to the Department of Health’s report, this equates to roughly seven to eight Second-Degree Murders a day in the state of Tennessee.”

What is fentanyl? And why is it dangerous?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was originally developed as an analgesic – or painkiller – for surgery. Despite the number and diversity of its analogs, fentanyl itself continues to dominate the illicit opioid supply. Milligram per milligram, fentanyl is roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

“Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent,” said Joey Smith, Montgomery County Public Health Director. “According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Fentanyl is so strong and so addictive, it’s being added to heroin, fake prescription pills and even stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine. The result is huge increases in overdoses, and sadly, more Tennesseans than ever dying. These deaths are preventable with knowledge and tools.”

Smith said It only takes 2mg or 2000mcg to be fatal as reflected in the image below.

How Montgomery County is fighting back

“In addition to ongoing actions such as making information and Naloxone more accessible, we know that individuals and their loved ones facing addiction have much to endure in finding a way out of substance misuse. In many cases, there is a critical point, often at the height of the crisis, where those struggling are absolutely ready to receive help. The Tennessee Department of Health has a new substance use treatment locator available at FindHelpNowTN.org that links individuals directly to care and help if they are struggling with a substance use disorder.

Site users can search facility listings using up to 60 different features such as the type of treatment needed, insurance programs, payment methods and availability of wrap-around services.

Drug dealers have used fentanyl analogs as an adulterant in illicit drug supplies since 1979, with fentanyl-related overdoses clustered in individual cities.

“My office prosecutes an alarming number of fentanyl-related cases, including not only simple possession misdemeanor offenses but also major felony cases, often which include firearms carried by traffickers,” Nash told Clarksville Now.

The modern epidemic of fentanyl adulteration is far broader in its geographic distribution, production, and number of deaths. Overdose deaths roughly quadrupled, going from 8,050 in 1999 to 33,091 in 2015. From May 2020 to April 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died from a drug overdose, with over 64 percent of these deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its analogs.

Fentanyl is a cheap alternative to other opioids. Because a smaller dose has a similar effect relative to other opioids, it is also easier to smuggle.

According to an article by Brandeis Now, COVID-19 resulted in less cross-national traffic, which made it harder to smuggle illegal drugs across borders. Border restrictions make it harder to move bulkier drugs, resulting in smugglers’ increased reliance on fentanyl – which is more potent and easier to transport in small quantities and as pills, making it easier to traffic by mail. This may have helped fentanyl spread to areas that escaped the earlier surge in fentanyl deaths.

Demographic breakdown of fentanyl

Data from the Tennessee Department of Health show that White Tennessee was more likely to die from a drug overdose than other races, however, this percentage has declined from 87% in 2017 to 80% in 2021. Deaths from drug overdose involving Black Tennesseans climbed 34% between 2020 and 2021.

Hispanic

Deaths from drug overdose involving Hispanic Tennesseans surged 313% between 2017 and 2021. The main causes of death among Hispanic Tennesseans over the past five years have been opioids, particularly fentanyl, and stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine.

Age

Overdose deaths have increased across all age categories from 2017 to 2021. Among these age groups, people aged 35 to 44 experienced the biggest percentage rise in drug overdose deaths (38%) between 2020 and 2021.

Men and Women

Over the past five years, the percentage of male overdose deaths has increased, and they now make up roughly two-thirds of all overdose deaths. Between 2020 and 2021, there was a 28% increase in the proportion of men who died from a drug overdose. The number of female drug overdose deaths was mostly stable from 2017 to 2019 but increased by 21% between 2020 and 2021.

“I sincerely urge those who are suffering from addiction to fentanyl and any other opioids (including Heroin, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Opana) to seek help immediately. The Tennessee Redline for treatment referrals can be reached at 1-800-889-9789. Your next high is not worth your or your family’s life,” Nash said.