Drug overdose concerns rise following latest round of stimulus checks
Advocates say Nashville saw a spike in drug overdoses following the last round of stimulus checks. Now they worry it will happen again.
and last updated 2021-01-13 23:33:45-05
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) â It s meant to lift a financial burden faced by many during the COVID-19 pandemic, but one organization is concerned the latest round of stimulus checks could create a spike in local drug overdoses. When you give them $600 they re going to really take it to the limit and that really will raise your chances of losing your life, said Thomas Gooch, the Prevention Director for Street Works- an HIV advocacy center. Among its services Street Works runs a certified needle exchange program. We provide clean syringes for individuals who use the syringes. We also dispose used syringes. We provide treatment referrals to where we try to get people into alcohol and drug treatment to help them out.