Knox County seeing impact of fentanyl despite 2024 decline in drug-related deaths
Metro Drug Coalition has been around for more than three decades with the purpose to help those in recovery get the help they need. In the last few years, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of fentanyl seen across East Tennessee. MDC Director of Grants and Government Relations Karen Pershing told 6 News that seizures like the one in Knox County help in the fight against the drug.
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'Of course, the drug seizures and securing the border can also be a factor with fentanyl coming into the country,' Pershing said. 'The less of this that's in our community, the less harm it's going to do to the individuals we are trying to serve.'
Over two pounds of fentanyl was seized by the sheriff's office. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, 2.2 pounds of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people which is roughly equivalent the population of Knox County.
'While total numbers for 2024 are not complete at this time, I can say that we had a significant decrease in drug-related deaths in 2024 for Knox County,' Knox County Regional Forensic Center Director Chris Thomas told 6 News. 'Synthetic fentanyl and analogs continue to make up 70% or more of all drug fatalities in Knox County.'
That 70% mark goes to show how much of a problem Fentanyl is in our area. Pershing told fentanyl is seen in a variety of different forms.
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'It's laced in most of the drugs that are on the street now,' Pershing said. 'Even if you're not looking for fentanyl, sometimes you will accidentally ingest it not realizing that it may be in your cocaine. [It] could be in heroin or could be a fake pill that's on the street mimicking a prescription medication.'
She added that kicking any drug is difficult. However, fentanyl is such a powerful addiction it makes it that much harder to quit using, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
'They struggle with getting into treatment and maintaining recovery. We are seeing people find recovery all day every day here,' Pershing said. 'We know it's possible, if anyone out there is in need of help getting into treatment or needing recovery support services once they exit treatment please let us know and we are happy to help.'
Thomas said that while it's early, data they have shows a continued trend in decline of drug-related deaths. Metro Drug Coalition offers services for prevention all the way to post recovery assistance.
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Metro Drug also distributes fentanyl testing strips to those who ask for them. Pershing said this allows people to test their drugs to see if there is any fentanyl and gives them a choice of whether to use or not.
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