Opioid Summit discusses how to beat the crisis

Thousands of Tennesseans are dying each year from opioid overdoses.

It’s enough of a crisis that lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are straining to deal with the illegal use of the drug..without hurting those who need pain relief.

News 12’s Bill Mitchell has a report tonight about an Opioid Summit held in Cleveland, Tennessee today.

The high level get together at the Museum center was called by 10th District Attorney General Steve Crump.
For some his remarks included the surprise of the day.

STEVE CRUMP, DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL “Everybody’s at risk. The fastest growing segment of the population which is really shocking to most people, would be teenaged girls. Teenage girls are using opoids in ways so that they don’t have to drink beer, and then they don’t worry about gaining weight, they go to a party, they can take one pill.”

DAN HOWELL, DIST. 22 “The opoid crisis is real, there are seven point five million annual prescriptions for opioids in Tennessee and we have a population of six point five million, so that gives you an idea of the magnitude of this crisis.”

Governor Bill Haslam has asked for a bill to combat opioid crisis..and is putting 25 million dollars toward that effort. Some lawmakers want to make sure legislation is well-targeted.

SEN. TODD GARDENHIRE ” And that’s the struggle that we’re going to have, is dividing that population up and making sure that we don’t pass a law that punishes one side while hurting the other side.”

Representative Kevin Brooks says Pharmaceutical companies give rebates to TennCare….

REP. KEVIN BROOKS “.. and can we use some of that money like the Tobacco settlement money, for education of the opioid epidemic in our area across our state.?”

Cleveland pastor and school board member Steve Morgan, seemingly on the spur of the moment suggest a local treatment center..and it gained immediate support.

STEVE MORGAN , Cleveland city SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ” I had no plans today of standing up saying anything. I was inspired by our district attorney general, and the passion that I’ve got for this generation that we’re trying to effect and change and save.”

The crowd pledged 1500 dollars on the spot. Morgan’s church had recently lost a young member to an overdose despite counseling.

In Cleveland, Bill Mitchell News 12 Now.