MNPD investigating spike in overdoses; Issues Narcan kits to vulnerable populations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Specialized Investigations Division detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department are seeing a spike in drug overdoses and hoping to curb the increase through Narcan kits.
Detectives distributed the kits to around 40 unhoused individuals in the downtown core Monday as a result of the “significant overdose activity” seen on Sunday and Monday morning, the department said. In one incident alone in the downtown area, eight people overdosed, including two fatal overdoses. The other six were revived with the Narcan, police said.
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Other increases in overdose activity were observed in the areas of Harding Place near I-24 and in the Murfreesboro Pike corridor.
According to police, the most common substance in these overdoses is a white rock material being sold on the street as crack cocaine that appears to contain a high concentration of fentanyl.
The unhouse population has been impacted the most, according to authorities. Patrol officers and detectives from the Neighborhood Safety Unit, the component that investigates drug overdoses and works to identify sources of illicit drugs, are continuing to warn people about this overdose spike and encourage them to carry Narcan.
“We have a certain baseline, we expect so many EMS runs for overdoses in a day, in a time period and it was significantly more than that,” said Matt Peters, the Communications Director for Metro Health. “The fact that fentanyl’s in so much. In our fatal overdoses we’re seeing 60/70% of fatal overdoses have some detection of fentanyl so that’s usually going to be in there.”
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For those seeking treatment for drug addiction, the Community Overdose Response Team (CORT) can help, police said. CORT is a free and confidential resource to help find drug and alcohol treatment for individuals who are at risk of an overdose. The service is offered free of charge regardless of health insurance status. The team works with an individual to determine the appropriate level of care such as detox, residential or outpatient treatment. To make a referral or learn more about CORT, call 615-687-1701.
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