Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In a story July 29 about drug overdose deaths in Tennessee, The Associated Press reported erroneously that overdoses are the leading cause of deaths in Tennessee. Cancer and other ailments accounted for more annual deaths.
A corrected version of the story is below:
Overdose deaths in Tennessee top wrecks, homicides
Tennessee overdose deaths top car wrecks, homicides; new law allows access to life-saving drug
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Drug overdoses are again a leading cause of death in Tennessee, ahead of motor vehicle accidents and homicides. But the state Health Department is hoping a new law will reverse that trend.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health's Vital Statistics office, drug overdoses killed 1,166 people in the state last year. By comparison, 1,008 people died in motor vehicle accidents and 405 were victims of homicides.
Far greater numbers died from other causes such as cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems, according to state health records.
While the growing number of overdose deaths is alarming for public health officials, they hope a law effective July 1 that gives Tennesseans access to a life-saving drug will help. Naloxone (na-LAHX'ohn) temporarily reverses the deadly effects of opioid drugs, giving the person time to reach a medical provider.
The new law allows doctors to prescribe naloxone to a person at risk of experiencing an overdose. The drug can also be prescribed to a family member, friend or other person in a position to help. It comes in an injectable form and a nasal spray.
According to Health Department data, 2013 saw an increase in overdose deaths from 2012, when 1,094 were recorded.
For the 2013 deaths, 54 percent were men and 46 percent were women. The median age of overdose death victims was 46 years old. Whites accounted for 90 percent of overdose deaths. Seventy-two percent of overdose deaths were among people with only a high school diploma, a GED certificate or less education.
The numbers include people who overdosed on both illegal and prescribed drugs. They include both intentional and unintentional overdoses.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
