Drug abuse is a leading cause of death, officials said at a drug awareness forum at Roane State Community College last week.

Officials in the medical and law profession, as well as community members who have seen the impact of drugs, made presentations during the forum held in conjunction with the Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition.

Medical personnel Bill Bennett and Tom Boduch focused on the impact the abuse of prescription narcotics has had on the community.

Bennett said the Roane County coroner has been at 28 scene investigations this year. Of those investigations, 12 were narcotic overdoses, six were suicides and three were homicides.

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