SUMMARY: Belmont University is launching two mobile units funded by $6.4 million in opioid settlement money to provide harm reduction and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, focusing on transient and unhoused populations. MAT, which uses drugs like buprenorphine (Suboxone), eases withdrawal symptoms and lowers overdose risk but can’t be dispensed outside clinics under Tennessee law. The mobile teams offer wound care, primary care, and mental health services, connecting patients to brick-and-mortar clinics for treatment and transportation. Security concerns also limit on-site dispensing. Similar mobile MAT efforts in Tennessee and Rhode Island highlight regulatory and community challenges.

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SUMMARY: A study by mental health provider A Mission For Michael found that 14% of Tennesseans feel lonely, with 4.6% (261,451 people) reporting they are “always lonely.” The highest chronic loneliness rates are in Haywood and Lewis counties (5.5%), while Williamson and Hamilton counties have the lowest (4.4%). Loneliness varies across Tennessee, and persistent loneliness can severely impact well-being. Executive Director Anand Mehta emphasized the importance of professional support to help individuals cope and connect. Nationally, Tennessee ranks low in loneliness compared to Mississippi (71%) and other states. The study used surveys and county health data for comprehensive analysis.

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SUMMARY: Immigrant detainees have begun arriving at the West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason, a former prison converted into an ICE detention center operated by CoreCivic. The facility reopened after Mason officials approved agreements with ICE and CoreCivic despite public opposition. The prison, closed in 2021 under a Biden administration order, was reopened following Trump’s reversal to support mass deportations. CoreCivic claims the center will create nearly 240 jobs and generate significant tax revenue for Mason, a financially struggling majority-Black town. However, concerns persist over detainee mistreatment, with CoreCivic facing fines and lawsuits related to abuse and understaffing at Tennessee prisons.

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