Unicoi County Led NE TN Counties in Overdose Deaths Per Population in 2017

NASHVILLE (WJHL) - Data from the Tennessee Department of Health shows Unicoi County experienced more drug overdose deaths per population in 2017 than six other Northeast Tennessee counties.

News Channel 11 obtained data on drug overdose deaths that happened last year in Carter, Greene, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, and Unicoi counties.

While Sullivan County had the most overdose deaths with 42 deaths reported last year, Unicoi County experienced more overdose deaths per population, even though only 10 deaths were reported.

According to the data, there were 5.60 drug overdose deaths per 10,000 people in Unicoi County last year.

The county also had the most opioid overdose deaths per population.

Seven people died from opioid overdoses in Unicoi County in 2017 according to the state's data, amounting to 3.92 deaths per 10,000 people. That includes overdoses from pain-relievers, heroin, and fentanyl.

Carter County experienced the second-most overdose deaths per population.

Data shows 21 people died in Cater County from overdoses in 2017. That amounts to 3.72 deaths per 10,000 people. Most of those deaths stemmed from opioids.

Tennessee experienced more drug overdose deaths in 2017 than any other year before, according to newly-released data from the Tennessee Department of Health. TDH says 1,776 Tennesseans died from overdoses last year. About three-fourths of those deaths were associated with opioids.

https://www.wjhl.com/local/unicoi-county-lead-ne-tn-counties-in-overdose-deaths-per-population-in-2017/1389012301