Tennessee Substance Abuse
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Alcoholic Beverages Taxes. TN Department of Health. Retrieved 8/26/21, from https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/alcoholic-beverages-taxes.html
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Controlled Substance Monitoring Database Program. TN Department of Health; TN.gov. Retrieved 8/26/21, from https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/csmd-board/csmd-board/about.html
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Current Drug Trends. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; TN.gov. Retrieved 8/26/21, from https://www.tn.gov/tbi/crime-issues/crime-issues/drugs.html
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Data Dashboard. TN Department of Health; TN.gov. Retrieved 8/26/21, from https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/pdo/pdo/data-dashboard.html
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NIDA. 2020, April 3. Tennessee: Opioid-Involved Deaths and Related Harms. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/tennessee-opioid-involved-deaths-related-harms on 2021, August 27
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(1/28/21). 2018-2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health: Model-Based Estimated Totals. SAMHSA; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt32879/NSDUHsaeTotal2019/2019NSDUHsaeTotal.pdf
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(2021, March). Tennessee’s Annual Overdose Report 2021: Report on Epidemiologic Data and Projects to Address the Overdose Epidemic. TN Department of Health. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/pdo/2021%20TN%20Annual%20Overdose%20Report.pdf
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(6/9/21). Controlled Substance Monitoring Database (CSMD) and Prescription Safety Act: Frequently Asked Questions. TN Department of Health. https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/alcoholic-beverages-taxes.html
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Tennessee Drug Abuse Statistics
Drug Overdose Deaths in Tennessee
In 2019 alone, there were 2,089 overdose fatalities in Tennessee. That number has been steadily increasing over the past five years.
NOTE: Even though it’s 2019, this is actually the latest data. Data for 2020 will be released mid-2022 and I will update the table accordingly.
Tennessee Overdose Deaths By Year
Overdose Deaths Involving: | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Benzodiazepine | 573 | 504 | 409 | 395 |
Cocaine | 250 | 306 | 251 | 334 |
Fentanyl | 294 | 500 | 742 | 1079 |
Heroin | 260 | 311 | 367 | 380 |
Psychostimulants | 187 | 319 | 462 | 651 |
Any Drug | 1631 | 1776 | 1818 | 2089 |
Non-Fatal Overdoses
Overdose hospital visits involving: | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Benzodiazepines | 1260 | 1425 | 1169 | 1003 |
Cocaine | 333 | 415 | 458 | 585 |
Heroin | 306 | 401 | 372 | 438 |
Amphetamines | 494 | 502 | 716 | 601 |
What is the worst county in Tennessee for drugs?
Davidson County had the highest number of overdose deaths last year – 329 people, but only 46 per 100,000 residents.
When adjusted for population, Cheatham County has the highest rate of fatal overdoses in 2019 at 69 per 100,000 residents.
Highest Overdose Fatalities (Adjusted for Population)
- Cheatham County – 69
- Dickson County – 53
- Hickman County – 49
- Knox County – 48
- Rhea County – 47
- Davidson County – 46
- Wilson County – 45
- Henry County – 41
- Loudon County – 41
- Anderson County – 40
The Most Abused Drugs in Tennessee
Opioids were involved in 46,802 overdose deaths in Tennessee last year —nearly 70% of all overdose deaths.
Opioids include heroin, fentanyl and many other prescription drugs used to treat severe pain.
Prescription Drug Abuse in Tennessee
Opioid painkiller Tennessee residents filled 5,029,476 prescriptions for opioid painkillers in 2020.
The amount of opioid prescriptions filled in Tennessee has been steadily decreasing since 2016. This is likely due to crackdowns on “doctor shopping” and the increasing popularity of illicit synthetic opioids, like fentanyl.
- Overdose deaths linked with prescription opioids decreased for the third year from a high of 739 deaths in 2016 to 515 deaths in 2019.
- The rate of fentanyl overdoses increased substantially, from 11.6 per 100,000 residents in 2018 to
16.8 per 100,000 residents in 2019 (a 44.8% increase). For the first year, fentanyl was involved in
more than half of fatal drug overdoses” – from 2021 TN OD Report
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Tennessee
Doctors in Tennessee are required to check the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database (CSMD) before prescribing controlled substances, especially opioids and benzodiazepines.
The CSMD and surrounding laws allow the prescribing doctor to check if the individual has any other active controlled substance prescriptions from other doctors.
Prescription drug monitoring programs play a huge part in preventing doctors from overprescribing dangerous medications and from individuals seeing multiple doctors for multiple prescriptions.
Tennessee Alcohol Laws
What is the Tennessee state law on ID for alcohol?
Tennessee laws on alcohol require stores to check identification before selling any form of alcohol, including beer, wine and liquor.
- The alcohol state laws in Tennessee, like the rest of the county, require you to be 21 years old or older to possess alcohol or enter bars.
- If you are caught possessing alcohol between the ages of 18 and 21 years old, you can be charged with a misdemeanor of minor in possession of alcohol.
- Using a fake ID to purchase alcohol underage is also a misdemeanor in Tennessee, including a mandatory one-year suspension of your driver’s license.
What are Tennessee alcohol driving laws?
It is illegal to consume alcohol or possess an open container while driving in Tennessee.
If you are caught drinking and driving you will be given a sobriety test. Any score above .08 Blood Alcohol Volume will result in a charge of Driving Under the Influence.
DUI’s are considered a serious crime in Tennessee, and punishment depends on how many times you have been caught in the past.
Tennessee Alcohol in Car Laws
Punishment | 1st DUI | 2nd DUI | 3rd DUI | 4th DUI |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fine | $350 - $1,500 | $600 - $3,500 | $1,100 - $10,000 | $3,000 - $15,000 |
Licensed Revoked | 1 year | 2 years | 6 years | 8 years |
Jailtime | 48 hours - 1 year | 45 days - 1 year | 120 days - 1 year | 1 year |
Treatment Program | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Other Tennessee Alcohol Laws
- Alcohol in grocery stores in Tennessee – You can buy beer and wine at grocery stores in Tennessee. Liquor, on the other hand, can only be purchased at liquor stores.
- Drinking in Tennessee state parks – Visitors are allowed to bring their own alcoholic beverages and drink them inside the park in designated areas.
- Tennessee Alcohol Tax – Alcohol sales are subject to Tennessee’s 7% sales tax plus an additional “sin” tax. Distributors are responsible for paying the “sin tax”, but these costs are always passed onto the consumer in the form of higher prices.
– Liquor: $4.46 per gallon
– Beer: $1.29 per gallon
– Wine: $1.21 per gallon - Rules for purchasing alcohol in Tennessee – You can buy alcohol in Tennessee from 8 AM until 11 PM Monday through Saturday, and from 10 AM until 11 PM on Sundays (new law as of 1/1/2019). Bars and restaurants are permitted to sell liquor-by-the-drink until 3 AM.
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