Overdose Spike Draws Official Response

May 19, 2020 – An unprecedented spike in drug overdoses, both fatal and non- fatal, in the past three months has led to more deaths in Shelby County than those caused by the Covid-19 virus, Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said Tuesday.

Since March 15, there have been more than 750 drug overdoses resulting in 112 deaths, most of which have been related to opioid use. In just the last 30 days, there have been more than 400 overdoses, including 66 deaths, according to the Shelby County Health Department.

“Our friends and family members are overdosing and dying at a record pace,” DA Weirich said. “We can reverse this trend through reducing demand and removing suppliers from society. As prosecutors, we will continue our focus on bringing these death dealers to justice. We need the community’s help in raising awareness about the seriousness of the problem and the dangers of these drugs. A dose the size of Abraham Lincoln’s nose on a penny is enough to kill you.”

This is “a pandemic within a pandemic,” said Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

They joined Shelby Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter in a virtual press conference Tuesday from the Main Library on Poplar where they announced an upcoming five-day event in which the Street Team for Overdose Prevention (S.T.O.P.) will provide street-level outreach at locations around Shelby County which will include free overdose-reversal kits, including Naloxone (Narcan), treatment resources at the following locations, dates and times: 

Today until 8 p.m. at 3360 N. Watkins, at 2760 S. Perkins Road, and at 3362 S. Third;

Wednesday at 1590 Sycamore View Road from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; at 28 N. Claybrook from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and at 3628 Summer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.;

Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 3360 N. Watkins; at 2760 S. Perkins Road; and at 3362 S. Third;

Friday at 1590 Sycamore View from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; at 28 N. Claybrook from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and at 3628 Summer from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.;

Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1590 Sycamore View; at 28 N. Claybrook; at 3628 Summer; at 3360 N. Watkins; at 2760 S. Perkins; and at 3362 S. Third.

All locations will provide overdose-reversal kits and treatment resources, but needle exchange services will be available at Sycamore View, Claybrook, and Summer Avenue locations only.