MURFREESBORO, TN - Drug overdoses continue to be a common occurrence throughout Murfreesboro, though the numbers are not necessarily rising. Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Chief Mark McCluskey told WGNS…

The most recently available year-over-year data released by the state shows that drug overdose deaths in Rutherford County have decreased by just 12%. The comparison is based on data from 2022 and 2023, the latest years for which figures have been published. In 2022, there were 130 drug overdose deaths recorded in the county. In 2023, that number dropped slightly to 114.

One overdose scenario that the Murfreesboro fire chief has encountered repeatedly involves individuals using synthetic drugs. Once under the influence, their altered state of mind often leads them to believe that taking more will intensify the high, which is false...

In 2022, there were 3,825 deaths attributed to drug overdoses in Tennessee. That number declined by 210 the following year, with 3,616 drug overdose deaths reported statewide in 2023. According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, most of the deaths were linked to opioids.

Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, remains a life-saving treatment that can be administered to individuals experiencing an overdose caused by opioids… The City of Nashville has worked to introduce publicly available Narcan, similar to life saving AED devices that can be found in high-traffic buildings, airports and businesses. 

The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted several policies in 2024 aimed at increasing patient access to naloxone, including placing it alongside defibrillators across the country. Today, some cities, school districts, and universities are implementing the recommendation. Last year, at least 30 states authorized educational facilities to keep opioid overdose medications on hand and to allow staff to administer them when needed.

• Click HERE to listen to our latest interview with Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue.