Two Fayette County, Tennessee, high school students are dead, and another is in the hospital in critical condition after a possible drug overdose just hours before a graduation ceremony at Fayette Ware high school Tuesday.
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office said they are investigating the incident as a drug overdose and the Fayette County Public School System confirmed all three involved were young women, one 16 and two 17, that were completing their junior year.
One of the victims was identified as 16-year-old Alyssa Thorne by her father, Mark Thorne.
“It’s a real shame, you know, that this little community has gotten a little touch of what’s all over the country,” Somerville resident Dennis said. “It’s just a matter of what kids are into today.”
“It’s just one of those sad things that we hear about but it’s hitting so close to home these days,” Somerville mother and resident Angie Powers said. “It’s so final; you just wonder and ask the questions why and what do we need to do to reverse these effects.”
According to the latest data shared by the Tennessee Department of Health were 21 overdose deaths in 2021 in those younger than 18. It’s the highest since 2017.
Dianne Sherrod, the Southwest Tennessee overdose prevention specialist, said it's a trend that is worsening in the age of social media and more potent drugs.
“Today in the culture that we’re in we don’t have time to reach a bottom. The substances that are on our streets today they’re killing people on the first use,” Sherrod said. “Because our children are so vulnerable, particularly with their social media platforms. There’s people that have access to them through these social media platforms.”
Sherrod and those with Hope Restored Counseling say it’s important for those with loved ones that may battle an addiction to pay attention to key physical symptoms.
“Just the change in the size of like your pupil, and then just the spell of your body or odor from your breathe that you might notice,” Ryan Massie from Hope Restored Counseling said.
Drug addiction counselors also say there are emotional symptoms.
Mood swings or just change in the normal attitude,” Massie said. “They can be more angry than usual or more irritable than usual.”
A balloon release vigil will be held in the school’s rear parking lot at 5 p.m. Friday.