Metro officials see uptick in drug overdoses, look to expand response
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro officials have looked to expand where it puts overdose response kits following an uptick in reported overdoses.
According to data from the April 1 Metro Public Health & Safety Committee, there was a more than 31% decrease in overdose deaths in Nashville. However, that drop in appeared to be short-lived.
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'Particularly in the month of March — we saw a significant spike on March 6th — where we saw the average number of incidents almost double in fatal and nonfatal overdoses within the city,' Sgt. Michael Hotz with the Metro Nashville Police Department's Special Investigations Division told the committee.
The weekly average for reported overdoses this year is just under nine. That cases where someone died and cases where someone survived. From March 16 through 22, that number peaked at 23. The MNPD estimated the so-called zombie drug xylazine is in about 80% of the fentanyl supply, causing 'dual addiction.'
'You don't just have to treat the fentanyl or opioid addiction; you also have to treat the xylazine addiction as well,' Hotz said. 'It also complicates overdoses. Because xylazine is non-opioid, Narcan doesn't work on it.'
At least 280 overdose reversal kits have been distributed. They're called 'One Boxes' and each one has two doses of naloxone as well as information on treatment options in the city and test strips for xylazine and fentanyl. The kit also has technology that walks someone through how to help in an overdose event.
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So far, 83 'One Boxes' have been installed in venues across the city — including Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Sounds stadium as well as music venues. Local officials are now working to expand to other areas.'We have also been in touch with Metro Schools and they do have Narcan, I believe, in the high schools, but they also stated that they could see the One Boxes added to middle and elementary schools,' Benton McDonough, the director of the Mayor's Office of Nightlife, told the committee on Tuesday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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