by George Massengill
Last month, a powerful tornado swept through parts of Tennessee.
Seven people lost their lives. Property was destroyed. The daily routine for many of us was put on hold as we nervously sought shelter out of harm’s way.
It was a terrifying, sad, and scary day.
The story led the news both here in Tennessee and around the nation. Our brave emergency personnel sprang into action; our state leaders reached out; and our entire community lent spiritual, emotional and tangible support. This incident demonstrated our natural God-given compassion. As a community, we immediately turned our focus to be of help to those in need.
The sad truth is that since then, an equally devastating tornado has hit Tennessee daily, including today, and will again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. This tornado seldom makes the headlines or commands our attention. Yet each day, this tornado kills approximately 10 of our family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. This tragic loss of life – and the grief and pain endured by those left behind – is on a par with last month’s weather-induced tragedy.
Drug overdose deaths are a DAILY Tennessee Tornado.
As a lifelong Tennessee resident, and someone who has been deeply engaged in the recovery and addiction treatment world for over 30 years, I am saddened, and frankly angry at the way our state has failed to respond to this ongoing, tremendous tragedy. My friends, Tennessee is the second worst state in the nation when it comes to overdose deaths!
To his credit, Dr. Stephen Loyd, Chair of our Opioid Abatement Council, last October called on his colleagues to flood the state with Narcan to save lives. Although there appears to be consensus among the council members in support of this policy initiative, the proposal is still being vetted by bureaucratic lawyers and accountants.
No one questions that the council’s actions should be legal and follow appropriate guidelines. But over 3 months to figure out how to approve an emergency expenditure? Really?
As Dr. Loyd noted in the council’s last public meeting, it’s high time that the bureaucratic mindset currently focused on “an abundance of caution” take a backseat to one that embodies “an abundance of urgency.” Those of us on the frontlines in this crisis, and especially those who have lost loved ones from drug overdose, will be watching to see if the council’s next meeting finally results in some long overdue concrete action to bend the curve here in Tennessee and save lives.
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George Massengill is Chief Executive Officer of Reach!! United (www.thereachteam.com), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing the rate of overdose deaths and increasing the success rate of addiction recovery in the U.S.
