Overdose deaths spike in 1 day in Memphis

August 29, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. | Updated August 29, 2019 at 2:05 p.m.

by Associated Press

This June 17, 2019, file photo shows 5-mg pills of Oxycodone. Two Ohio counties are asking a judge to find that drugmakers and distributors were not allowed to ship suspicious orders of controlled substances to pharmacies. If a judge sides with the request from Cuyahoga and Summit counties, it would clear the way for the governments to assert that drug companies ignored the regulations as a nationwide opioid crisis continued to grow. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
This June 17, 2019, file photo shows 5-mg pills of Oxycodone. Two Ohio counties are asking a judge to find that drugmakers and distributors were not allowed to ship suspicious orders of controlled substances to pharmacies. If a judge sides with the request from Cuyahoga and Summit counties, it would clear the way for the governments to assert that drug companies ignored the regulations as a nationwide opioid crisis continued to grow. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Health officials in Tennessee's largest county are reporting a record number of suspected overdose deaths in a 24-hour span.

The Shelby County Health Department said Wednesday that 16 people suffered suspected overdoses during the 24-hour period ending midnight Sunday.

Officials said five overdoses resulted in deaths. They said the number of deaths is the highest for a single day since the Memphis-based department began using the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program in July 2018.

The program tracks overdose reports from first responders and law enforcement agencies.

Department spokeswoman Joan Carr said tests will determine what kinds of drugs led to the suspected overdoses.

Health departments and law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and elsewhere are using data collection, aggressive prosecution and other methods to reduce overdoses from opioids and other drugs.

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