Published: January 17, 2020

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE TBI CRIME LABORATORIES BEGAN KEEPING DETAILED STATISTICS, METHAMPHETAMINE ECLIPSED MARIJUANA AS THE MOST-SUBMITTED DRUG IN THE STATE IN 2019. ACCORDING TO TBI DIRECTOR DAVID RAUSCH, DRUG ADDICTION CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN TENNESSEE, AND IT IS BELIEVE THIS SHARP INCREASE IN METHAMPHETAMINE HAS A CONNECTION TO OUR STATE’S ONGOING OPIOID EPIDEMIC. TBI’S CRIME LABORATORIES IN MEMPHIS, NASHVILLE, AND KNOXVILLE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 9,795 SUBMISSIONS OF MARIJUANA IN 2019, COMPARED TO 12,072 SUBMISSIONS OF METHAMPHETAMINE.  THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE TENNESSEE REDLINE. MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT T-N DOT GOV OR BY CALLING OR TEXTING 1-800-889-9789.