KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Drug overdose deaths are continuing to decline in Knox County, reflecting a trend being seen across Tennessee and the nation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths in the United States dropped nearly 14% in 2025 compared to 2024. Locally, the decline has been even more dramatic. Data from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center shows drug-related deaths were down 16% through June 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Health and recovery experts say improved access to treatment, greater availability of overdose-reversal medications and ongoing community efforts are helping drive the positive trend.
More People Seeking Treatment
Despite the decrease in overdose deaths, officials at the McNabb Center say the need for treatment remains high.
Jennifer Muse-Hill, senior director of adult substance use disorder treatment and recovery services at the center, said patient numbers have actually increased because more treatment options are available.
“I think we’ve seen a decrease in overdose cases because there’s been a concerted effort to really make treatment more readily accessible for people,” Muse-Hill said. “We’ve actually seen an increase in numbers served. We’re able to serve more.”
The McNabb Center recently completed a major renovation that nearly doubled its residential and detox treatment capacity, increasing the number of beds from 38 to 72. The project was funded through state and federal support and was completed last spring.
Faster Access to Care
Muse-Hill said wait times for residential treatment have dropped significantly, allowing patients to access services more quickly than in previous years.
She also pointed to partnerships with hospitals, including UT Medical Center, that allow patients to begin medication-assisted treatment in emergency rooms and be transferred directly to recovery programs the same day.
Officials believe expanded access to medications used to treat opioid addiction and growing efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding treatment are helping more people seek care before overdoses occur.
Narcan Credited With Saving Lives
Another major factor in the decline has been increased access to naloxone, commonly known as Narcan.
The medication can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and has been widely distributed throughout Knox County using state and federal funding.
“So, we’ve really tried to saturate the community with easy access and availability to that life-saving medication,” Muse-Hill said.
Thousands of Narcan kits have been placed into the community, providing families, first responders and residents with a critical tool for preventing overdose deaths.
Recovery Efforts Continue
For recovery specialist Kurt Rudd, the statistics represent real lives being saved.
Rudd, who has been in recovery for 13 years, now works with others at the McNabb Center and carries Narcan with him wherever he goes.
“That’s more people that are living, more people that have another shot,” Rudd said.
He emphasized that addiction impacts families across all backgrounds and said continued access to treatment resources remains essential.
Officials Urge Continued Efforts
Chris Thomas, chief administrative officer and director of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, said the county’s decline mirrors larger state and national trends.
While fentanyl remains the leading cause of overdose deaths in East Tennessee, Thomas said fatalities linked to the drug are significantly lower than they were in previous years.
Officials continue to monitor emerging substances, including nitazenes, synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines and substances being marketed as kratom alternatives.
Even with encouraging numbers, Thomas warned against reducing funding or resources dedicated to addiction treatment and drug enforcement efforts.
“This is not the time to slow down,” Thomas said. “This is the time to keep on the gas pedal with everything the community is doing.”
Local officials say continued investment in treatment, prevention, harm reduction and law enforcement efforts will be necessary to maintain the downward trend in overdose deaths and help more people achieve long-term recovery.
