RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - While opioids continue to serve as a lifeline for thousands of patients with legitimate medical needs, blaming prescribers alone can oversimplify a complex crisis. Studies indicate that opioid addiction often results from a storm of contributing factors—ranging from socioeconomic challenges and genetic predispositions to undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, chronic drug abuse is frequently linked with serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and even ADHD. The most common addiction cycles are often rooted in individuals attempting to self-medicate for these underlying disorders.

In Tennessee, the opioid epidemic has escalated over the past several years, with the highest concern being reported during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In 2019, there were 2,088 drug overdose deaths statewide, with nearly 75% involving opioids. By 2022, that number surged to 3,826, with opioids involved in over 80% of those cases. A slight decline followed in 2023 with 3,616 overdose deaths, 81% opioid-related.

Locally, Rutherford County mirrored this troubling trend... That was Sarah Gwinn, Senior Project Coordinator at the Center for Health and Human Services’ Office of Prevention Science and Recovery (OPSR). She highlighted where the county stands today in the fight against opioid addiction… OPSR is a Rutherford County program that utilizes opioid settlement funds to administer local prevention and recovery initiatives.

A number of new ideas are being executed in Tennessee to reduce illegal drug dependency in all age groups. In 2023, a $2.92 million federal grant was awarded to MTSU’s Center for Health and Human Services, in partnership with Cedar Recovery treatment clinic. The grant was established to provide new medication-assisted treatment access points in a total of six rural Tennessee counties with the first five counties in 2024 being Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Franklin and Marshall. This was the first mobile unit in the state of Tennessee to solely offer medication-assisted treatment, said Paul Trivette, chief strategy officer with Cedar Recovery.

Organizations interested in applying for a portion of these funds can access through MTSU CHHS OPSR’s online application. For additional information, visit  https://chhs.mtsu.edu/opsr/.