TBI, TDMHSAS TO DISCUSS ‘THE STATE OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN TENNESSEE’ AT WEDNESDAY MORNING NEWS CONFERENCE
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will host a news conference Wednesday to discuss the state’s illicit drug supply, the associated increase in overdose risk, and Tennessee’s comprehensive efforts to mitigate both from the law enforcement and mental health perspectives.
Wednesday’s event coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day. The worldwide commemoration marks the loss of life due to overdose and highlights the hope of treatment and recovery for people living with substance use disorder. Presenters will address some common misconceptions around fentanyl overdose and discuss efforts to save lives through the distribution of fentanyl test strips.
For more information about International Overdose Awareness Day and to find local events for potential coverage, visit: TNtogether.com/ioad.
DATE: Wednesday, August 31st
TIME: 10:30 a.m. CT
LOCATION: Training Room 3, TBI Headquarters
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Speakers scheduled to attend include:
David Rausch
Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Mike Lyttle
Assistant Director, Forensic Services Division, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Tommy Farmer
Special Agent in Charge, Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force/Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Marie Williams, LCSW
Commissioner, TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicesAnthony Jackson, Jr.
Director of Prevention and Early Intervention Services, TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Additional interviews available at the event include:
Brian Winbigler, PharmD
Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, UT Health Science Center
Dr. Winbigler is a pharmacist who works with TDMHSAS to provide education around fentanyl.
Andrea Hancock
Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist
Hancock works as a ROPS in the Nashville area and can speak to her work educating people on addiction and overdose and distributing the life-saving overdose reversal drug naloxone. Hancock also has a personal connection to this work.
Anthony Jackson, Jr.
TDMHSAS Director of Prevention and Early Intervention Services
Jackson oversees community coalitions across the state who are funded to reduce rates of drug misuse. Additionally, he oversees programs which educate the public and distribute naloxone, and he has been on the forefront of efforts to distribute fentanyl test strips.
Media planning to attend should plan to arrive no later than 10:20 a.m. TBI will plan to stream the event on the Bureau’s Facebook page at facebook.com/TBInvestigation, and will also offer media a brief tour and video opportunity of the Forensic Chemistry Unit of the Nashville Crime Laboratory immediately following the news conference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Josh DeVine
Communications Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
TBI.Media@tn.gov, (615) 744-4295
Matthew Parriott
Director of Communication, TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Matthew.Parriott@tn.gov, (615) 532-6597
