SMART News
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How Does Tennessee Regulate Cannabinoids? (Podcast)
In May 2023, Governor Lee signed SB 378/HB 403, which imposed significant regulations on the production and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoids, including Delta-8, Delta-10 and all other compounds known as cannabimimetics, which have effects on the same neurological system as marijuana.
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Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose (Podcast)
TEMPO, or Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdoses, is a multi-coalition and nonprofit program to distribute naloxone and train musicians and concert venue workers to identify and prevent opioid overdoses. TEMPO has recently made waves in Nashville with a pilot program in partnership with Hikma, who makes Kloxxado, as well as ONEbox, to distribute high-tech overdose reversal first aid kits to music venues, and we at the SMART Initiative were impressed by their immediate results (they saved lives).
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Are More Syringe Service Programs Coming to Rural Tennessee? (Podcast)
My guest this month is Karen Pershing, executive director of Metro Drug Coalition. In the last legislative session, Karen played a significant role in pushing for a bill that reduced the barrier to opening new syringe service programs in rural Tennessee.
In this episode, we discuss the impact of the bill, how it made it through the legislature, her behind-the-scenes role in the policymaking process, how young people can get more involved in the policy world in Tennessee and more.
Links:
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The Kids Are Alright: Meet the Rocky Top Recovery Ambassadors (Podcast)
The Rocky Top Recovery Ambassadors are a group of college students, undergrad and grad, that identify as being in recovery and/or having a mental health disorder. Building an on-campus community of students wanting a safer, sober college experience, the ambassadors hosted weekly all-recovery meetings and mental health events, as well as sober-friendly social events like group yoga, concerts, bounce house obstacle courses and more.
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Are Xylazine Test Strips a Feasible Strategy?
Most people are now aware of fentanyl testing strips, which were decriminalized last year in Tennessee. But with the rise of xylazine (also known as tranq) as a contaminant in the fentanyl supply, many have been asking whether or not there are comparable testing strips for xylazine and if these would be significantly useful in curbing overdose fatalities.
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What's Changing on College Campuses in Tennessee? (Podcast)
In 2020, the TN Together Student Survey found that the average age for first using a substance was 13 to 14 years old. Identifying and intervening at that age is thus crucial. Most of the time, however, the problem isn’t caught until later: usually when the person is college-aged.
