FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2020

CONTACT:
Joan Carr

OFFICE: (901) 222-9010

CELL: (901) 691-5704

SHELBY COUNTY STREET TEAM FOR OVERDOSE PREVENTION (STOP) EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020

SHELBY COUNTY, TN –The Street Team for Overdose Prevention (S.T.O.P.) will provide a street-level outreach event this Saturday, June 6, 2020 to address the recent spike in drug overdoses, particularly in the 38109 zip code area.

SCHD and its community partners, including the Shelby County Opioid Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, and S.T.O.P. (Street Team for Overdose Prevention) have planned an outreach event from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Charity Outreach Ministries at 2218 Eldridge Avenue, Memphis, TN 38109.

WHAT: S.T.O.P. street-level outreach
WHERE: 2218 Eldridge Avenue, Memphis, 38109
WHEN: Saturday, June 6, 2020; 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

The S.T.O.P. team will be offering free, anonymous, and confidential resources and services, including: overdose reversal kits, including naloxone/Narcan training; treatment resources, with onsite treatment providers; information about safe needle exchange; free face masks; and free food.

The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) has noted an alarming increase in drug overdose activity and fatal drug overdose events in the past several months. During the period between April 6, 2020 and May 30, 2020, there have been 721 suspected drug overdose events, 103 of which were fatal. That is by far the highest number of overdose incidents SCHD has recorded since it began tracking overdoses.

“The contributing factors behind the overdose spike are not clear, but the trend is concerning,” said Alisa Haushalter, Shelby County Health Department Director. “It is important that those experiencing substance use disorder continue to have access to the care they need, including treatment and community access to naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses if administered promptly.”

The Shelby County Health Department maintains a webpage on its website www.shelbytnhealth.com, with information about opioids, including overdose data, which is updated each Friday.

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