According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in Tennessee,
drug overdose deaths involving opioids totaled 1,307 in 2018 (a rate of 19.9). Deaths
involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (mainly fentanyl and fentanyl
analogs) increased from 590 (a rate of 9.3) in 2017 to 827 (a rate of 12.8) in
2018. Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) has long warned youth and adults alike
on the dangers of drug abuse, and on September 1st, an event is being
held for International Overdose Awareness Day with special guest speaker
Michael Deleon, founder of Steered Straight.   International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 by
Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Melbourne. Since 2001, many
community members as well as government and non-government organizations have
held events to raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug
overdose. According to OverdoseDay.org, “International Overdose Awareness Day
is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma
those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left
behind.”  Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free
World, an international non-profit working to help educate people on the
dangers of drugs through a multimedia campaign.  















Resources are available free of charge through drugfreeworld.org,
including downloadable Truth
About Drugs booklet, which cover all basic side effects of drugs, common street
names, and how to recognize when you are being persuaded by a dealer. DFT also
has a range of award winning Public Service Announcements and an award winning
feature length documentary detailing the dangers of drugs and addiction. To
learn more or to order booklets or view the videos, visit drugfreetn.org and
drugfreeworld.org.