Tennessee strengthens its overdose prevention program



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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) – The Mental Health and Addiction Services Department of Tennessee is adding staff to an overdose prevention program that, he says, has saved at least 2,000 lives.

The department states that it has recently increased the number of regional overdose prevention specialists from 13 to 20. These specialists educate the public and first responders about substance use disorders, opioid overdose and use. naloxone. It is an antidote to the overdose of opioids.

Since 2017, overdose prevention specialists in Tennessee have distributed 35,000 units of naloxone in the state.

Commissioner Marie Williams said in a press release that, when people are saved from overdose, "we can really give them a second chance to see the hope that awaits us for the recovery of their addiction".

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