East Tennessee sees big increase in overdose deaths from prescription pills

By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - When it comes to the epidemic of prescription pill use, things are not getting better. In fact, the problem is getting worse in East Tennessee.

Tennessee ranks among the top states when it comes to prescription pill overdose deaths.

Jessica Akhrass says her family did everything they could to save her little brother, Addison Sharp, from the poisonous addiction to prescription pills.

"The day that he died was the worst day of my life," said Jessica Akhrass. 

"My mom asked him, 'The first pill that you took, did you even know what it was?' He said, "No, so it started off that way escalated to Xanax to Roxys'," said Akhrass.

The Catholic High School graduate got hooked when he was 18. The family says he overdosed on Xanax in 2009.

Taking a break from classes at UT, Sharp went to an out-of-state, faith-based rehab center.

Shortly before Addison's death the family had all just gotten back home from a vacation. They said Addison was in good spirits.

After all, they said he was clean for about 6 months and they finally thought he had taken a turn for the better.

Addison's mother found him dead in January in their Farragut home at the young age of 22.

"A friend of his found pills in a hiding place in his room that none of us thought to look. There was residue on the counter," said Akhrass.

The family is waiting for autopsy results to confirm their belief that Addison died of an overdose.

"He talked to my parents the night before he died and said the pills ate my soul, they made me do things I never would have done," said Akhrass.

The CDC says prescription medication is the reason for the rise in drug overdose deaths in the country. The Southwest and Appalachian regions have the highest rates.

Tennessee's Department of Health released the latest statistics on 16 East Tennessee counties. Every single county except for one reported an increase of accidental drug overdose deaths from 2003 to 2010.   

Knox County saw a 41 percent spike in overdose deaths, but in many other counties the increases are jaw-dropping.

For example, Hamblen County experienced a 160 percent increase and Sevier County had a whopping 187.5 percent increase.

Blount County went up by 107.6 percent, while Roane County saw a 125 percent increase.

"If there is not some way to regulate and hold those people responsible for dishing out these drugs and pain clinics there is definitely going to be more issues," said Roane County Sheriff Jack Stockton.

Stockton said he fears the trend in overdose deaths will skyrocket. So does Akhrass.

"I just don't want this to happen to anybody else. I know the legislative system works slowly and I'm afraid how many more deaths of young people will happen before those laws can be put into place," said Akhrass.

Akrhass plans to lobby lawmakers to work faster.

If you ask Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, the epidemic is a priority.

"This is serious and I think lawmakers understand that we will do all we can to protect," said Ramsey.

Addison's family is doing their part to protect their community launching a Facebook page not only to remember Addison, but to send one important message.

"It's a very hidden issue people need to talk about it and not be ashamed about it, said Akhrass. "It's everywhere. It's kids who are highly educated that went to private schools that come from good families."

In fact, Akhrass said three young men, all friends of her brother's, lost their lives to prescription pills.

That makes Addison the fourth tragedy in the small community.