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Drug overdoses increase in Hamblen County

  • Originally published June 30, 2011 at 9:49 a.m., updated June 30, 2011 at 2:52 p.m.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Hamblen County officials say prescription drug abuse is on the rise and is contributing to an increase in drug-related deaths over the last decade.

Hamblen County Coroner Eddie Davis told WBIR-TV in Knoxville that once a week, he's called to investigate drug overdose deaths, which he says is often caused by methamphetamine and prescription drugs.

From 1990 to 1999, his office investigated 54 drug overdoses. But from 2000 to the present, that number increased dramatically to 324.

Sheriff Esco Jarnagin said drug abusers are filling up his jail as the number of dealers and addicts spike.

Paul Hyde, the executive director of the Hamblen County Substance Abuse Coalition, said prescription drugs can be easily obtained even without a doctor, so he encourages people to safely dispose of unwanted prescription pills.

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Information from: WBIR-TV, http://www.wbir.com/