UNDERSTANDING INFLUENCE THE
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Letter from the Editor: Inspiration behind “Understanding the Influence”
SHELBY WRIGHT Editor-in-Chief
The University of Tennessee is a major party school. You can hardly walk down any streets on a weekend night without hearing music and seeing some folks who may or may not be sober.
As I wracked my brain trying to think of special issues to talk about this semester, there was one topic I knew I had to discuss — student life.
Now, what is student life? How do you define it? What makes it unique?
Little did I know how loaded those questions were when I spoke to my editorial team, who quickly got very excited about all the stories they could explore. We finally settled on two major issues that shape a college experience outside the classroom: drugs and alcohol.
Letter from the
However, it wasn’t long before their excitement fizzled out because, as they all contacted sources, they discovered that no one wanted to talk about drugs, alcohol or party culture at UT.
I thought this was odd. Why was there such a stigma surrounding things that so many obviously take part in? So, we took a step back.
This semester, The Daily Beacon has broadened its horizons and stepped just a little outside the university to get a better look at what is happening among the young adults of Knoxville. Focusing on the opioid crisis and homelessness in Knox-
ville, we have discovered some interesting intersections between these epidemics and campus life.
Therefore, it’s key to ensure that students at UT understand how addiction can manifest in all its forms.
I would like to specifically shout out three reporters for UT’s Media Center — Nicholas Wright, Ericksen Gomez-Villeda and Kylia Berry, who have all been donating a lot of time to research, community service and outreach to bring students at UT and the people of Knoxville more focused reporting on East Tennessee’s opioid epidemic.
As the semester continues, be mindful and slow to judge those in situations you may not fully understand, and keep a lookout for Beacon articles to help you “understand the influence.”
Managing Editor: Listening to different stories can open your mind, heart
CADEN DYER Managing Editor
Although I have personally never used drugs or experienced substance abuse, I am still no stranger to the concept.
I began working in restaurants when I was 16 years old. One of my first inklings that perhaps not everyone was like me came when my general manager once showed up to work drunk at 10 a.m. I was quietly scandalized, my inner thoughts racing as I tried to understand why any decent, sensible person would disrespect their job and employees like that.
I grew up in a very small, conservative town in East Tennessee. Church, family dinners and small-town gossip were as common as iced tea (that’s sweet, not unsweet). It was rare to return home from the grocery store without seeing someone you knew — and I thought I knew everyone. Restaurants were my first real awakening. This was an entirely new set of individuals. They had their own rules, own clothes, own substances. If you had the right look (and I never did), they’d offer you weed during your first week. Coming into work hungover (or high) wasn’t too out of the ordinary.
For two years, I carefully observed this culture as I worked right in the middle of it. The head chef was a former felon, fresh out of jail and toothless. My coworker
bragged about her drunk escapades — meanwhile, she was two grades below me. My background was such that I thought one sip of alcohol could make me a high school dropout. Everyone who vaped had zero future, and “partying” meant instant depravity. I never deigned to participate in my coworkers’ culture, but I did listen and ultimately judge them.
I remember my high school graduation party, safe and secure in my assurance that I was “on the right track” (whatever that is). I hugged my friends with a starry-eyed confidence that college would only elevate my shining social status and quality reputation.
A rude awakening followed. Sure, I still had plenty of judging left in me and plenty to use it on. Frat parties? What a waste of someone’s life. The Strip on a Friday night? Fodder for my jokes. I was into academics, making money and building a resume. I was certain that having fun had no need for alcohol.
No, my awakening did not come from my daily life. It came from my new job here in Knoxville. I was back in a restaurant once again, but this time, I was making friends inside it.
I grew to know these quirky, weird people as themselves, coming from all different walks of life and belief systems. I saw them for the humans that they were just by listening to their stories.
Stories about a cancer diagnosis with no money for chemo. Stories about parents who sabotaged their child’s chance for a full ride to college. Stories about a year
spent living in their car, using a Walgreens extension cord to bum wifi off people’s houses. Stories that shook me to my core and made me desperately grateful for the comfortable life I knew.
These people were giving life their very best. And sometimes, that meant that their drugs came along with them. My best friend at work has a self-proclaimed drinking problem. Do we have hard conversations sometimes? Yes. But do I celebrate their small wins and ultimately let them make their own choices? Most definitely. The drugs are plenty, and — as I’ve gotten older — the offers to join have grown in number, but I couldn’t do my job without every single one of those crazy cooks. I have had louder, deeper laughter in that kitchen than anywhere else, and there is nothing quite like a conversation with the bar regular as I pass them their fifth Coors Light.
Just like that greasy restaurant, this special issue has pushed me to encounter uncomfortable, hard stories — to think about lives so different from mine that my instinct is to squirm and run away. But what does running away truly do? It breaks down your character and makes you an empty shell of a person. Let us be people who see others as just that: people. Let our differences and backgrounds fade away as we rest in our common humanity.
Just like my coworkers, I hope this UT community feels that they have a friend at the Beacon. I hope they know I will always be here to listen, judgment-free.
Tennessee opioid crisis: Synthetic fentanyl impacts drug supply
NICHOLAS WRIGHT Staff Writer
Knox County has experienced a spike in drug-related cases as a result of the newest wave of the opioid crisis. According to a report in 2023, Knox County drug-related cases of death involving 15-24 year-olds saw an increase of nearly 40%.
Courtney Fuson, the director of communications for the Metro Drug Coalition, talked about the history of the opioid crisis and
“The first wave of the opioid crisis began in the 90s when we began seeing an increase in overdose deaths involving prescription opioids for pain. Tennessee was one of the hardest hit states, with a particularly high prescribing rate. In the 2000s, we began seeing an increase in heroin use, which is considered the second wave. We are now facing synthetic fentanyl, which has increased potency and frequently contaminates the drug supply.”
Courtney Fusion Metro Drug Coalition
what problems the current iteration poses. It was the reaction to the first two waves, restricting access to opioid prescriptions, that has opened the door for fentanyl to become a threat.
“Lab testing revealed that seven out of every 10 pills seized by the DEA contained a lethal dose of fentanyl, so carrying Narcan, making sure that you do not use alone, and using fentanyl test strips can all increase safety if you do choose to use,” Fuson said.
While the opioid crisis impacts individuals across the spectrums of race, gender and class, Fuson detailed which groups have historically
Prescription opioids, medication designed to treat severe pain, can easily be misused and lead to dependence and addiction. Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
Adrien Terricabras / The Daily Beacon
been hit the hardest here in Tennessee.
“Those aged 35-44 have consistently experienced the highest rates of overdose. Males consistently experience more overdoses than females, and white Tennesseans experience the highest rate of overdose,” Fuson said.
Fuson also mentioned a spike in overdoses during COVID-19, but reported that these trends are decreasing as resources become more readily available to the community.
An addiction from the outside eye can lead to a stigma around misuse — Fuson noted some of the aspects of substance disorders make it difficult to comprehend, as it has the ability to rewire the human brain.
“Many people see addiction as a choice, and it can be difficult to understand why a person with a substance use disorder makes the choices that they do,” Fuson said. “Understanding the brain science of addiction helps people to understand that their loved one has a brain disorder that makes it difficult for them to practice self-control. They are not intentionally harming themselves or others.”
Despite the immense proliferation of information and resources to combat this crisis, this re-emergence of the epidemic has been increasingly putting young, college-aged individuals at risk.
Fuson explained this discrepancy and why college-aged individuals are at a higher risk of suffering from substance misuse or overdose
while other groups have seen a decrease in risk.
“In Knox County, the 2023 Drug-Related Death Report released by the Knox County Regional Forensics Center revealed that the sharpest increase in overdose deaths occurred in those aged 15-24,” Fuson said. “So it is increasingly affecting those who are collegeaged, particularly through poly-pharmacy, the use of multiple substances at once and counterfeit pills.”
Because of the deeply intertwined relationship between college campuses and drug use, this is likely to be an ongoing battle in the coming years.
Given the fact that it can be challenging for students to say no to drugs, and some don’t even want to abstain, Fuson believes that the best thing to do is be educated and prepared no matter what.
While there have been some improvements in the last few years, the opioid crisis continues to represent a massive problem both within our country, state and upcoming generations.
To help facilitate this, the University’s Center for Health Education and Wellness regularly provides Narcan and the training to use it free of charge.
Furthermore, Metro Drug Coalition has a long list of recovery support and substance misuse resources students can consult if they need support.
New rules being considered for hemp, THC testing: Is hemp becoming new marijuana?
EMMA CASKILL
Arts and Cultures Editor
The legality of marijuana in the United States was not federally made until 1937 with the passing of The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. According to Data Collaborative for Justice, the act “regulated and taxed the importation, cultivation, possession and/or distribution of marihuana for certain medical and industrial uses, largely through the issuance of ‘tax stamps’ to those in the marihuana market.”
In 1937, it was said that “relatively few Americans had even heard about marijuana,” according to MPP, whereas today, “50% of Americans admit to having tried it, and one in six used it in the past month.”
In Tennessee, marijuana remains illegal for recreational use, a trend between neighboring states. Hemant Sharma, a professor in the Department of Political Science, explained that neighboring states are beginning to legalize medicinal use.
“Typically, what happens there is you go to a doctor who would write a prescription for marijuana,” Sharma said. “That prescription might include the ability to grow a small number of plants and/or use a small quantity
of marijuana.”
A more recent drug that has been legalized nationally is hemp. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines hemp as “high in fiber and low in active tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that makes cannabis varieties a valued drug.”
In Tennessee alone, the hemp industry “has grown to an estimated $280-$560 million in annual sales since the products were legalized nearly six years ago,” according to Tennessee Lookout.
Hemp is more widely known as “delta-8 THC” or “delta-9 THC.” The current regulations of Hemp in Tennessee were last updated in 2021 under 7 C.F.R. § 990.3, 990.6 and 990.7. In Tennessee, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture coordinates the rules and regulations of hemp production through Tennessee’s hemp program,” according to the Tennessee Government.
“With hemp being legalized and the vape shops that have popped up with ‘delta’ products, it’s tough to differentiate sometimes across the different numbers with the deltas,” Sharma said.
Hemp is legally sold in Tennessee and more locally here in Knoxville at smoke shops, hemp shops and even gas stations. The legal limit of THC in hemp is 0.3% or less, but
testing it can be tricky.
“Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture wants that process to include burning the item, so it is more kin to what it would be like when it is smoked,” Sharma said. “The point of discussion there is — well, they took my plant, they didn’t know if it was hemp or marijuana, they burned it and then they told me it was good, well I can’t get that back now
Smoke Rings smoke shop on Cumberland Avenue. Monday, March 10, 2025. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
because it has been burned.”
A court date is set for June 5 of this year in Nashville to discuss future testing processes.
“The new rules would require testing for
the delta-9 produced when THCA is heated,” according to Tennessee Lookout. Until then, hemp will continue to be sold legally in Tennessee, and there will be no changes made within the testing process.
“The key point is that if it is hemp-derived and it is 0.3% or less than THC, it should be legal, but sometimes it is hard to run those tests and figure it out,” Sharma said. “We saw a seizure in a nearby county of a large swath of product that turned out to be legal, but by the time that officers and crime labs processed the evidence, the product had spoiled, and the store was getting back taintless or useless product at that point.”
Another alternative to marijuana that is legal in Tennessee is synthetic hemp, which can be confused with hemp. Sharma explains that synthetic hemp is created in laboratories but has similar effects to hemp.
“Whether that should be legal under the federal hemp policies is an ongoing question for courts to confirm,” Sharma said.
As states become more progressive around us, Tennessee could be seen in the future to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. Until that happens, marijuana usage in Tennessee will remain illegal for recreational use, and as of now, it remains illegal for medicinal use as well.
A glimpse under the bridge: My experience volunteering with Metro Drug Coalition
ERICKSEN GOMEZ-VILLEDA
Photo Editor
“Get off the sidewalk!” a voice rumbles from a police car’s megaphone. The vehicle sits parked in the middle of North Broadway, urging people to get up and move. The bodies begin to stir slowly, getting up and taking their time. They have nowhere to go. The voice rings over the megaphone a few more times, singling out a few stragglers.
I met up with Brandon Styles, regional overdose prevention specialist, from Metro Drug Coalition, and we walked to an area enclosed by a black metal fence. He tells me this is called the “Safe Place,” a part of Old City in the Mission District underneath I-40 where the unhoused community can come and receive resources and be a little more sheltered.
MDC worked with the Knox County Health Department, Knoxville Fire Department, AMR and Knoxville Area Project Access to create the Mission District Medical Team. The medical team has tables set up in the Safe Place to give out food, supplies like socks, drug testing kits, Narcan, toothbrushes and hygiene supplies. There’s also a small bus where the medical team does wound care, first aid and testing for AIDS and STDs.
As we walk through the Safe Place, clusters of people spread out among the asphalt. Styles goes around asking if anyone needs any wound care or supplies. The air is dirty, a mix of feces, urine, cigarettes, weed and vape smoke. The cars driving overhead on the freeway create a steady drone of traffic. The occasional loud noise causes a large flock of pigeons to scatter from underneath the bridge, filling the area with feathers as we try to get out of their way.
As we pass out Narcan, Styles gets a call and takes off to the other side of the Safe Place along with one of the EMTs. Someone
has overdosed, and they rushed over to help. Luckily, paramedics were on the other side of the Safe Place already, and a life was saved, but that’s not always the case.
I’ve been out under the bridge with MDC with their wound care outreach multiple times this semester. When it was cold, we passed out socks and beanies and told the people where the warming shelters were going to be as the temperatures dropped.
There are people with dogs for both warmth and protection. There’s a stolen trash can filled with blankets and belongings. Possibly everything they own is in that can. As people come for supplies, there’s some small talk, but as an outsider, they seem to be a little reserved around me. As I looked over, I saw two guys smoking meth — drug use is not uncommon here.
The last time I was there, the weather had started warming up, meaning more people would be out in the Safe Place. A woman came up and took some Narcan. She looked at me and with sadness in her voice, said, “If I had some, I might have been able to save someone yesterday.”
It seems like something happens daily, but this community is resilient. A large man comes to the table, smiling and joking around.
“Do you remember me?” he asked. I replied, “Yes, I do, Ike.” He smiled, and we had a short conversation before he went off to
grab some food and other supplies at another table.
An older woman with grey hair comes up and talks to me. They have finally started to get used to seeing me out here. I asked her if there was something she would like people to know about the community out here.
“We’re not bad people. We’ve just hit hard times,” she said.
After five weeks of volunteering with MDC, I have seen a bit of everything, both good and bad, from individuals struggling with addiction to members of this community helping each other out.
They have mourned the loss of a few of their own and laughed at corny jokes and magic tricks that didn’t work. These people are sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers. They are as young as 18 and as old as 65. All races, all religions. They are survivors — they have stories to tell.
After the last time I was there, I asked Styles what he would like to let the public know about the unhoused community here.
“Just to make sure that we remember that these are people, somebody does love them and they are worthy of our love,” Styles said.
Editor’s note: I’m volunteering with MDC for a semester-long grad school reporting project on opioids in East Tennessee.
Navigating relief in Tennessee’s opioid epidemic
offer a telehealth option — a remote version of therapy.
Cedar Recovery
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the state ranks third in the country for prescription drug abuse, with about 70,000 Tennessee residents experiencing opioid addiction. In addition to opioids, the use of heroin and fentanyl is on the rise. Even more alarming, the Tennessee Hospital Association states, “Every day, at least three Tennesseans die from an opioid-related overdose.”
To address this epidemic, organizations in Knoxville offer prevention programs and relief centers to help those in need. While starting a recovery program or counseling can initially seem daunting, Knoxville offers adequate resources to help.
Concord Recovery
Concord Recovery offers a safe environment for those looking for counseling. This organization specializes in addiction recovery with personalized treatment to ensure every patient feels welcomed and trusted.
Concord Recovery recognizes that addiction is not a choice and is a mental illness. The organization also takes pride in flexibility as they
Cedar Recovery is best known for opioid recovery, as well as treating other addictions linked to opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl.
Given that cost may be an issue for some patients, Cedar Recovery accepts several forms of health insurance, which can be found on their website. This help center, located in South Knoxville, is convenient and accessible to students.
Savida Health
This opioid treatment center offers a plethora of treatment options like medication, psychiatric help and individual or group therapy.
Their trained clinicians take pride in offering “comprehensive and compassionate care” and FDA-approved Medication-Assisted Treatment. Depending on whether patients are comfortable taking medication, they offer treatments like Vivitrol.
Vivitrol is an injectable medicine used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. For opioids, the prescribed drug prevents relapses after the patient stops using.
More information about Savida Health can be found on their website.
Groups Recovery
Groups Recovery’s website states, “You’re more than your addiction — you deserve more than just treatment.”
Groups Recovery’s website also includes encouraging statistics. The center supports over 50,000 members, about 89% of patients stay clean each week, 44% of new patients join at the recommendation of an existing member, and it has an average of a 4.5-star rating on Google.
Groups Recovery emphasizes group therapy as the most effective addiction treatment, combining Suboxone — a type of medicine — with a community of individuals who can share their own experiences and feel less alone in their journey.
Metro Drug Coalition
Serving Knoxville for over 38 years, the Metro Drug Coalition strives to empower the city’s health and decrease addiction through “prevention, harm reduction, and recovery support.”
Harm reduction focuses on a health platform that supports individuals at their current level of needs, taking a more personalized recovery approach. According to their website, the antidote Naloxone is distributed as the treatment is scientifically proven to decrease risks.
Knowledge is power — the MDC serves as an educational platform with several events to educate the public through recovery coaching, prevention education in Knox County Schools, Naloxone training and mental health first-aid training.
Whether the addiction to opioids is severe or not, Knoxville offers several areas of treatment. People are expected to feel unsure where to begin in the recovery process, but trying out these places is a great way to start the journey to a more sustainable, healthier life.
Knoxville hosts several opioid relief centers and organizations for those who are struggling. Saturday, March 8, 2025. Samantha Whitley / The Daily Beacon
SAMANTHA WHITLEY News Editor
The Safe Place Bridge of I-40 that many homeless people in Knoxville use for shelter and resources. March 11, 2025.. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
SARAH PORTANKA Engagement Editor
How ABC determines bar raids: What students need to know
PATRICK BUSCH Staff Writer
For many students out at bars on the Strip on a Friday night, some of the worst things you could hear are “ABC” and “bar raid.” These words alone are enough to make students reconsider their going-out plans.
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission is the state agency in charge of enforcing alcohol laws throughout the state. Its jurisdiction extends to anything involving alcohol, primarily bars, restaurants that serve alcohol, wineries, wholesalers and manufacturers. However, most infamously to University of Tennessee students, ABC works to ensure bars follow all alcohol-serving laws and that minors don’t use fake identification to be able to drink.
The commission has a few hundred employees across the state, including 38 special law enforcement officers. These officers have the same authority as a typical police officer, but they only have jurisdiction over crimes involving alcohol.
The most visible part of the commission’s work is so-called “bar raids,” but the commission doesn’t actually call them “bar raids.” Instead, they are internally known as “routine underage alcohol compliance checks” or simply as “bar checks.” These bar checks happen frequently, as ABC completed 3028 across the state in 2024 alone.
Aaron Rummage, the commission’s director of legislation, policy and communication, explained that these bar checks are typical and that bars should expect them to occur.
“Every restaurant and bar, and other licensees for that manner, can expect to have a visit from a TABC agent from time to time,” Rummage said. “We also can investigate complaints. If there’s a particular restaurant or bar that somebody has issued a complaint on, we will investigate that complaint. However, they’re really mostly random.”
The goal of a bar check is twofold — ensuring that minors are not using fake identification and that the bar is following all laws related to serving alcohol, including due diligence of IDs, that all staff are appropriately certified and that alcohol sales stop at set times. As much as ABC checks on students, it’s more accurate that they focus on the establishment of serving.
Bar checks don’t just happen at bars that are near a college campus, like those on the Strip, but all over the state. Rummage stated that the commission is aware of a “college bar scene” at the university, however, they don’t particularly target
those bars.
“We try to be consistent with our enforcement,” Rummage said. “However, when we deal with on-premises locations near a college, we are aware that people use fake IDs and that there’s maybe increased underage drinking, so we do look for that. But we really try to be consistent across the state. Ensuring that underage minors do not receive alcohol is a top priority for us.”
There are varied consequences for minors caught drinking and for a server or establishment caught serving drinks to a minor. State law utilizes a legal approach known as the “Full Circle of Responsibility,” meaning that every single individual involved in the attainment of alcohol is responsible for ensuring minors don’t receive it. As a result, there are civil and criminal penalties for a minor drinking underage, a server serving a minor alcohol and the bar where it takes place in.
Penalties for violating these statutes are purposefully left wide-ranging and can be severe. However, the actual penalties handed out are typically far less than what the law allows for.
Anyone under the age of 21 who attempts to obtain alcohol, whether or not it’s successful, is technically in violation of a class A misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. Anyone who uses a fake ID to obtain alcohol violates a separate class A misdemeanor, which can result in up to a $200 fine or imprisonment of between five and 30 days.
Penalties for a server or establishment caught serving alcohol to minors are more severe. A server violates a class A misdemeanor and could be imprisoned for up to 11 months and 29 days, fined between $1,000 and $2,500, forced to do up to 100 hours of community service, and may have their driver’s license revoked. Civilly, a server could be fined up to $500 and have their server’s license suspended or even revoked.
The commission states that they hold alcohol license holders ultimately responsible for their employee’s actions. There are escalating consequences after several violations that begin with a $1,500 fine to the bar and can escalate up to a $10,000 fine or even suspension or full revocation of their license.
While these penalties seem daunting, particularly for minors caught drinking, consequences are almost always not that severe. Furthermore, it’s pretty rare for the commission to bring criminal consequences on a minor.
According to the commission’s February 2025 Report to Prevent Underage Drinking, Drunk Driving and Other Harmful Uses of Alcohol, there were only eight state-wide
instances of criminal procedure against an individual for a “minor in possession of intoxicating liquor” in 2024. In 2022, it was 19, and there were zero instances in 2023. For minors out drinking, when a bar check occurs, it’ll probably just end in you walking out of the door without so much as a word from police or ABC agents.
Most criminal proceedings carried out by the commission were against servers and alcohol serving license holders. In 2024 the commission issued 568 violations to vendors for alcohol sale to a minor. In the same year, ABC issued 449 violations for a server not having the correct permitting and 40 violations for failure to check ID. There were 36 individuals issued proceedings for using a fake ID in 2024, 27 in 2023 and 66 in 2022.
As Rummage explained, agents and officers have the discretion to determine what happens when the commission shows up for a bar check in terms of penalties.
“It’s up to the discretion of the officers,” Rummage said. “It really is difficult to say what an officer will do — sometimes they may make an arrest, other times they may confiscate the license, it really just depends. We do emphasize educating the licensee and we’re really just there to protect the public, and that means those who may be using a fake ID, we look to educate them too.”
ABC isn’t the only agency that can get you in trouble for drinking underage or using a fake ID. We can also look at statistics from the University of Tennessee’s Police Department. According to the UTPD’s 60-Day-Log, 91 liquor law violations were
issued in the past 60 days. None of those resulted in criminal proceedings, and the vast majority were referred to student conduct.
However, there were several instances of public intoxication or underage consumption. Of those, most did result in an arrest and the start of criminal proceedings. Public intoxication is a class C misdemeanor, and underage consumption is a class A misdemeanor.
Understanding these numbers, the ABC is not the primary concern for students using a fake ID or drinking underage. Consequences are possible, but the commission focuses its efforts on servers and license holders, not minors in violation of the law. The vast majority of criminal proceedings issued by the commission in the last several years have targeted servers and bars, not minors, in violation of the law.
If you’re ever at a bar and ABC agents and officers show up, you shouldn’t start panicking. These typically just result in everyone underage leaving the bar without any sort of consequence. Put your beer down, don’t talk to any agent or officer unprovoked and quietly see yourself out.
UTPD frequently enforces alcohol laws, handing out citations, referring students to student conduct and even making arrests. While it’s not very common, the commission certainly can implement laws and provide consequences to minors.
“Using fake IDs and drinking alcohol when you’re under 21 has serious consequences, and personally, it’d be wise to think twice before they do it,” Rummage said.
A view of the ‘Strip’, Cumberland Ave, at night on Sunday Apr 17, 2022.. Ericksen GomezVilleda / Daily Beacon
Ridealong in focus: How UT’s police department fosters a campus of safety, wellness
jump into action if needed.
Another string of numbers and locations scrambled through the muddy speaker of Officer McKenna’s radio pack as the stationary patrol car hummed in the afternoon sun. An endless river of students traversed the crosswalk in front of us.
I made a quip about using the siren to get out of such a situation, when the foot-traffic renders roads through the University of Tennessee almost unusable, and McKenna laughed it off. He said it’s part of the job — patience.
On a ridealong with McKenna, I saw the patient, vigilant work done by the University of Tennessee Police Department to keep campus safe. He said it’s more proactive work than anything, preventing crime and reassuring students by posting officers on constant, fluid patrols.
“We’re always on the move, never just assigned to one location to watch and wait,” McKenna said.
From my correspondence with Ryan Moore, the public information officer at the department, he said officers at the UTPD are given leeway in their decision-making, though there still remain certain circumstances where they must report back to the department.
“Generally, officers are given a degree of discretion in their daily activities, allowing them to make on-the-spot decisions based on their observations and interactions with the campus community,” Moore said.
McKenna said that that discretion afforded to him and his fellow officers allows him to interact with the community on a greater level, listening and adapting to their needs.
His words translated to action throughout our patrol as he steadily moved through key areas of campus, always alert to potential situations of danger.
As we drove up Cumberland from the station, McKenna wavered by a bus his radio said contained a very sick individual. He said he had provisionary medical training meant to sustain someone until ambulance help can arrive on scene, and that he would
At a later point, we happened upon a collision scene on Alcoa by the side of Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center. Someone had been sideswiped by another car, and again, McKenna stayed dutifully by his radio, monitoring the situation in case assistance was needed.
McKenna said he entered the police force because he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. He recognizes how much a position of power can influence the lives of students when they’re in a stage of life filled with uncertainty and change.
“I like to think of this job as building bridges with people,” McKenna said. “You can reach people where they are and turn their whole situation around.”
McKenna is part of the UTPD’s community outreach division, which is focused on connecting the student body with officers. By working with organizations like the Center for Health Education and Wellness, tabling at events and corresponding with services like the 974-HELP hotline, the UTPD continually reinvests its ties with students.
Ryan Moore said that the community outreach division is one of many that work together to keep the campus in a healthy balance.
“We have officers on patrol 24/7, 365 days a year and currently have 72 sworn officers,” Moore said. “We also have resources in our department to shift manpower to focus on areas should any incident occur or in the event we were to see an uptick in crime.”
McKenna touched on the divisions as we circled back up Cumberland, out by the hospital and through Fort Sanders to return to the station. He said officers frequently transfer positions and move through, and it works smoothly because each department holds similar values and goals.
It’s all about taking things case by case, according to McKenna — you can’t put a blanket over things as a police officer, and keeping that mentality helps him recognize where his help is needed and what he can do.
HARRISON ING Staff Writer
UTPD responds to calls made about crimes on campus. File / The Daily Beacon
New proposed vape taxes in Tennessee could impact UT students, local businesses
KACIE BURNS Staff Writer
Senate Bill 0763, which proposes a 10% tax on open-system vape products, has moved forward in the Tennessee statehouse. This bill caused a debate over public health, youth prevention and economic consequences. The bill is specifically targeted at cracking down on youth vaping and Chinese vape products. The bill would impose a 10% tax on opensystem vape products and stricter regulations on sale and distribution. All purchasers would be required to show proof of age at the time of purchase. Currently, ID checks are only necessary if an individual looks under 30 years old.
Additionally, closed-system vapes — such as disposables and prefilled cartridges — will be taxed at $0.07 per milliliter.
Vaping is a popular activity among students at the University of Tennessee. In Knoxville, multiple smoke shops are within five miles of UT, including two on Cumberland Avenue just steps from campus, making acquiring vape products easier.
Data from 2023 from America’s Health Rankings revealed that 10.2% of adults in Tennessee “reported using e-cigarettes or other forms of electronic vaping products at
least once in their lifetime and now use daily or some days.”
This health crisis and its long-term effects are widely unknown — making vaping a major concern on college campuses, with many students using electronic cigarettes or disposable vapes.
UTK’s Be Well website states, “inhaling most substances negatively impacts health. We know these devices contain nicotine and this results in the same issues as the nicotine in traditional cigarettes which can include issues with your heart and brain as well as hormones that regulate sexual desire/performance and metabolism.”
E-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine, which leads to addiction, lung irritation and many other health risks. While the new tax could deter some students from purchasing vapes, many unknowns remain.
Carleigh Kaufman, a UT alumna who graduated with a Master’s in nutrition and specialized in clinical nutrition and dietetics in 2024, compared the vape taxes to the high costs of unhealthy foods.
“I think it’s a similar thought to taxing sugary or unhealthy foods. People will still do it because they like it even if the price increases,” Kaufman said. “When it comes to things like this, it is less likely to see a correlational decline.”
Kaufman’s perspective raises the concern
that students who are dependent on nicotine may not quit vaping altogether but rather seek cheaper alternatives that potentially cause greater health risks.
Similarly, other critics of the bill fear that it will force hundreds of smoke shops out of business and negatively impact consumers — including UT students, who could turn to other harmful smoking habits.
The tax could have significant financial consequences for Knoxville smoke shops. Smoke Rings, a local shop that sells various vape products, has already heard customers express concern about potential price hikes.
The bill also establishes a vapor product directory and requires manufacturers to certify that they comply with state and federal regulations before their products can be sold in Tennessee.
Starting in 2026, businesses can only sell vape products listed in the directory. Those who do not comply with these regulations could face fines and have their business licenses suspended or revoked.
An employee at Smoke Rings told the Beacon that they do not know exactly how the tax will affect their customers and sales, but they anticipate a decline in sales as vapes are a topselling item.
As the bill moves through the Tennessee legislature, its effects on student health and Knoxville businesses will become clearer. For
now, business owners and consumers are left to prepare for the vaping industry’s unknown future.
“I think it’s a similar thought to taxing sugary or unhealthy foods. People will still do it because they like it even if the price increases.”
The 10% increase in taxes on vape products in Tennessee raises concerns among businesses and consumers. Monday, March 10, 2025.
A dangerous intersection: Homelessness and the opioid crisis
Writer
On a cold night in January, a woman in Knoxville experienced a chilling brush with death.
The woman, 51-year-old Ami Spencer, is a Knoxville local dealing with the daily adversity of being unhoused.
She must also contend with addiction.
After Spencer was released from the hospital following a stay that had resulted in the amputation of her finger, she used heroin after a month without it.
Spencer suffered an opioid overdose that, without help, could have ended her life that night.
However, the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist at Metro Drug Coalition, Brandon Styles, was prepared for any such incidents. He noticed and administered Narcan to Spencer and was able to save her life.
“If he (Brandon) hadn’t been there, where would my life be?” Spencer said. “Would I be in heaven? It’s scary.”
The event has had a major impact on Spencer, who talked about what she has been doing since getting her second chance.
“(Being given Narcan) was eye-opening. I
had never been Narcan’d in my life,” Spencer said. “I said if I ever had to be, I was done. And I’ve been done since.”
Spencer’s story helps highlight one of the most dangerous intersections of the contemporary opioid crisis — substance misuse and homelessness.
According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 26% of unhoused people abuse drugs other than alcohol.
Similarly, a local study done by the university shows that 10% of unhoused families in Knox County reported substance abuse as their primary cause of homelessness.
This interaction has had real, tangible consequences. MDC held a vigil on Feb. 21 to observe a moment of silence after losing several community members.
Frank Dotson, the pastor of E Avenue House of Prayer, talked about the purpose of the vigil and why the community came together.
“This (the vigil) right here is because of three people that lost their lives under the bridge,” Dotson said. “We don’t know what exactly happened. Nobody does. It’s just ridiculous.”
Community members at the event mentioned a disconnect between those who want to help and how exactly they can provide assistance.
Kris Folen, a Knoxville resident who attended the vigil, touched on this sentiment within the community.
“There are so many people out there who desperately want to help. They just don’t know where to help at,” Folen said.
There are several organizations based in Knoxville that can provide the opportunity to volunteer and help give back to the community.
Metro Drug Coalition’s website has a page dedicated to volunteering opportunities, for which anyone can apply.
Additionally, a new nonprofit based in Knoxville, ReLAUNCH, always needs supplies or volunteers to support its goal of breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness.
However, these resources still represent purely volunteer opportunities. Some residents, like Frank Dotson, think that the local government needs to become more involved in this issue if a solution is to be found.
“I think the city needs to set up a committee or something to get over this issue and direct it,” Dotson said. “If we could all get together, we could do a lot to help.”
This issue is not likely to go away soon. The number of unhoused individuals continues to rise in Knoxville, and complications due to the opioid crisis are bound to exacerbate problems.
There are hundreds if not thousands, of people like Spencer who desperately need support if we ever hope to overcome these issues.
“I don’t want to die. I want to live,” Spencer said. “My life matters. Everybody’s life matters.”
NICHOLAS WRIGHT Staff
Aubry Dowd / Contributor
Syringes found along the side of a building in the Mission District. Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Careleigh Kaufman UT Alumna
Marketing, ‘magic number’: Caffeine perks affect students
CADEN DYER Managing Editor
Have you ever had a vodka Red Bull? You sent your brain so many mixed signals.
Alcohol is a dualistic drug to begin with — it produces effects that are both stimulating and sleep-inducing. Caffeine, on the other hand, is strictly a psychostimulant. Combined, the alcohol-caffeine combo is a risky business.
Caffeine does not sober you up. That old wives’ tale is generally understood to be a myth in 2025. Instead, the caffeine in your espresso martini only weakens you further.
“What it does is it makes people feel more awake. So in reality, they’re just as impaired,” Sarah Colby said.
Colby, who has been at UT since 2011, researches how communities interact with nutrition, food security and food justice. She focuses her work on the behavior of adolescent and young adult groups.
“(The caffeine) is just making you feel awake, so now you’re an awake, intoxicated person. It actually makes you — research shows — more at risk for risky behavior. You’re more likely, for instance, to drive afterwards because you feel fine. But you’re still impaired and you don’t know it. You’re not able to tell.”
Caffeine’s not all bad — it has tremendous potential to impact students’ lives for the better. It can enhance the performance of your memory and increase the alertness of an individual. That’s why you might see so many people walking into exams with a coffee or Celsius. According to Colby, it’s all about getting the magic numbers.
“I would rather use 200 as my favorite magic number to aim for in terms of the benefits without the risks of caffeine.”
Here, Colby refers to 200 milligrams, the amount of caffeine in an Alani Nu or Celsius energy drink. Certain types of caffeine carry different weights. For instance, the average cup of drip coffee contains around 94.8 milligrams, while a venti iced latte from Starbucks, containing three shots of espresso, holds approximately 225.
The consistency of your caffeine intake can also have a remarkable effect on your body.
“I think most people know that if you are on caffeine and you automatically stop it, you can have side effects. … You’re much more likely to have, like, headaches and fatigue and irritability and have trouble concentrating,” Colby said.
The alertness and mood boosts that are associated with caffeine make it popular with active students. According to Colby, caffeine is a tool that must be used correctly when exercising. Her advice is to keep your intake at that “magic number,” 200 milligrams, and leave enough space between it and your workout — 30 minutes to an hour before hitting the gym is her advice. Alani Nu Ambassador Grace Buxton is one of those students who enjoys a quick caffeine boost around the gym. Although she was initially a
Caffeine affects everyone differently, and for some it can become addictive. However, not all effects of caffeine are bad. Seth Reynolds / The Daily Beacon
coffee fan, Buxton says that college centered her caffeine experience around energy drinks instead.
“Once I got to college and energy drinks were more the norm, I definitely hopped on the train and now I need one to workout,” Buxton said. “(Getting into the gym) is when I really relied on energy drinks and started loving their flavors. And now I drink them every single day.”
As an Alani ambassador, Buxton places importance on sharing her genuine love of Alani products with her community. Her Instagram posts, TikTok videos and cheery conversation encourage others to try the fun flavors and latest products.
“My goal is to authentically share how Alani makes my busy college schedule easier and more enjoyable,” Buxton said.
While Alani adds an extra splash of flavor to her day-to-day activities, something else draws Buxton even more.
“The fun marketing has really changed the game.”
As a marketing major herself, Buxton loves the tone of Alani Nu’s energy drink brand. Alani is a brand popularity star, bringing a notoriety to the table that could be the result of an eye-catching color scheme and mouth-watering titles. With flavors like Dream Float, Juicy Peach and Cherry Twist and fabulous can designs to match, Alani certainly pops off the shelves.
A big draw for college students can be a celebrity collaboration, and Alani has had several. Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Megan Moroney have all taken their turn promoting a new, vibrant showstopper. These collabs have drawn Alani to a unique place in the energy drink realm, according to Buxton.
“Celebrity collaborations … I think it’s super cool. I’m the biggest Megan Moroney fan ever, so immediately, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, Megan Moroney’s energy drink? I need it.’ It wasn’t even a want at that point. It was a need. … And I know they’re actively trying to figure out another collab. I don’t think they ever stop with their marketing and brainstorming. They’re always trying to get the next best thing, and it’s obviously working.”
But just like alcohol, caffeine has its limits. Going above 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is when things can take a turn for the worse.
“It really can affect sleep,” Colby said. “People don’t realize that it’s hours later that it can affect sleep. … It takes about 5-6 hours(for) caffeine to stay in the body, but it depends because some people are fast metabolizers and some people are slow metabolizers. … So if somebody is a slow metabolizer, it might even be more like 12 hours or longer.”
Your metabolism affects how quickly your body processes caffeine, leading to increased or decreased side effects. This is incredibly specific
to an individual, according to Colby. “They can know (their metabolic rate) from paying attention to how they feel afterwards,” Colby said. “When you drink the same amount of coffee as somebody else, do you tend to feel shaky or jittery from it? Do you have more trouble going to sleep if you drink it at night? … If you notice those things when you drink coffee, then you’re probably a slow metabolizer.”
The effects of caffeine depend on your ethnicity, age, weight and gender. People with ADHD might see results that differ based on the individual. Those on medications should take extra care to understand the potential side effects of caffeine. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, harmful interactions between energy drinks and your medication make coffee and tea a better option for you.
Being knowledgeable about caffeine is a great way to make sure your caffeine intake is at the best possible level for you, giving you as many positive and as little negative effects as possible. Knowing these things, Colby said, is crucial so that students “can actually make educated choices so they can get the best outcome. That’s what I would want to see.”
Know your limits: A legal, no-nonsense guide to nights out
EMILY HURST
Copy Chief
Party culture is a large part of campus culture, and here at the University of Tennessee, there are plenty of opportunities for a fun night out. Whether it be tailgating for football, going to a house party with friends or standing in line at the bars, safety is of the utmost importance. Tennessee’s alcohol laws are good to be aware of, and knowing your rights (and limits) can save you a lot of trouble.
Know how to spot your limits
Everyone’s alcohol tolerance is different, and it’s easy to overdo it without realizing. Pace yourself, stay hydrated and pay attention to how you’re feeling. Make sure to eat a meal before drinking, as food slows the rate at which alcohol reaches the small intestine, making it easier for your body to manage. Even small levels of alcohol can land you in trouble if you’re underage, driving or causing a scene.
Underage drinking
The consequences of using a fake ID vary widely depending on the establishment. In 2022, The Daily Beacon covered the ease with which many UT students obtain alcohol with a fake. Still, it is a class A misdemeanor, with up to 11 months in jail and fines up to $2,500. Even if it doesn’t go that far, you could face probation, community service or a mark on your record.
Public intoxication is more than just being drunk
You can be arrested if you’re in a public place and appear to be intoxicated, enough to be a danger to yourself or others. Or if you’re causing a disturbance. You don’t have to be blacked out to get charged. Loud behavior, stumbling around or just calling attention to yourself can be enough. Public intoxication is a class C misdemeanor that comes with fines, a court date and a criminal record. It’s important that you feel in control of yourself enough to avoid this charge.
How to handle being stopped by the police
If the police stop you, you have the right to remain silent, but you don’t have the right to refuse a breathalyzer or lie about your identity. Lying about your identity and refusing a breathalyzer could lead to automatic license suspension and even more unintended consequences. Know your rights, but also know when it’s wise to cooperate.
Eyes on your drink at all times
Unfortunately, drink spiking is a real concern on many college campuses, and it only takes a few seconds for someone to slip something into your drink without you noticing. Never leave your drink anywhere unattended. Take it with you, ask a trusted friend to watch it or buy a drink cover. If you’re ever unsure about the safety of your drink, don’t hesitate to buy another one and mention it to the bartender. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and it’s important to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Tennessee open container laws Don’t endanger others on the road by driving drunk. Tennessee’s open container laws state, “No driver shall consume any alcoholic beverage or beer or possess an open container of alcoholic beverage or beer while operating a motor vehicle in this state.” It’s illegal to have a driver with an open alcoholic beverage in any vehicle, whether it be cars, trucks, buses or even scooters. Find a safe, legal way to get home with alternative ride options.
Safe ride options
If you’re planning on drinking, prepare for a safe way home. Tennessee’s DUI laws are strict, even if you aren’t driving a car. Fortunately, plenty of safe ride options like Uber, Lyft and local services like the Late Nite T-Link or the virtual “Friend Walk” through the Safe at UT app.
Consent is key Consent is a clear and conscious deci-
sion, and cannot be given if someone is intoxicated or impaired. It’s crucial to respect personal boundaries and ensure all interactions are mutual. Consent doesn’t exclusively have to do with sexual activity either – it can be sharing personal information, photos and videos and using someone’s things. Having sober conversations with partners and friends about what you’re comfortable with can be helpful –but never assume that consent is a given where intoxication is involved.
Buddy system
The buddy system is not something to leave in elementary school, as it can help larger groups keep track of all of their members. It’s best not to travel alone, whether it’s Ubering to the function or walking the block back to your apartment. Before making plans to go out, establish a small group or pairs to stick by for the night. There is strength — and safety — in numbers.
A crowd of students, none of them underage, wait outside a bar on the Strip. File / The Daily Beacon
Opinion: Breaking down the usage abuse of Adderall in college
ANSLEY GRAVES Opinions Editor
College is one of the most stressful and (academically) time-consuming periods of a person’s life. From constant studying, deadlined assignments and little time to maintain a social life, there’s no doubt that the pressure to succeed is nothing short of overwhelming.
Considering all of these looming external factors, it almost seems as though there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done … or are there?
For some individuals, merely focusing on one assignment alone can be frustrating and difficult, and when all of the caffeine in the world isn’t cutting it anymore, more drastic measures might be taken.
Adderall, a drug that is primarily used to treat adult attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and young adults, has become an increasingly popular presence on college campuses. To the ‘lucky’ few with diagnosed ADHD, Adderall is usually prescribed at an early age and is a part of their daily norm.
While Adderall is the generic brand name brand for most ADHD/ADD medications, more familiar names for different kinds are Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).
Those who might not have an ADHD diagnosis or the resources to access the medication might have to find other ways to obtain it that are not ideal and, sometimes, illegal.
According to a National Drug Use and Health survey, about two-thirds of young adults using Adderall illegally get it from their friends or roommates. Unfortunately, some students have to go to measures such as this for what seems like a good cause but can have lawful retaliation. Interestingly enough, getting the medication from a roommate or friend is not as complicated as one might think.
As a college student living with ADHD and ADD, I know that the normal day-to-day in college can look like a mountain that I can’t climb up. Thankfully, having the resources of medication can make this a little bit more bearable, but I wholeheartedly feel for those who are not able to be medicated if need be. While it seems like
a luxury to have the medication handy as someone who struggles with these impairments, attention span and ability to focus, sometimes it can feel like the medication is taking you.
In 2023, a student confided via commenting to the site, “[ADD] TITUDE,” about how their medication negatively affects them. The student commented, “ I don’t feel like myself. That’s a high price to pay. On the other hand, I can’t handle the college prep curriculum-much less college-without it.”
Surprisingly, this is how many students feel when taking their medication, and they likely will choose not to take it most of the time unless absolutely necessary. Not taking the prescribed medication daily as usually instructed leaves no use for it. Unless you loan it to a friend who might desperately need it.
Loaning Adderall and similar medication to a friend who needs it for a big test or a long day of studying is usually always with good intent and might be very useful to their success. On the other hand, someone you loan it to who is undiagnosed with ADHD or ADD might experience an intense sense
of clarity or euphoria — almost like the voices and thousands of thoughts running through their head are taking a break. It is human nature to want to feel sane and focused, so chasing that feeling can often lead to misuse or addiction.
For some people, wanting to feel like they aren’t dumb or ‘slow’ in college is a huge insecurity, and if finding a substance that combats those feelings becomes particularly easy, why stop? If you are able, continuing to illegally get the pills from someone you know who is prescribed the medication can lessen the effects, leaving the body only to want more of this euphoric feeling.
According to New Jersey’s Premier residential treatment and detoxification campus, “as with any substance abuse, the brain of a person who suffers from psychological or physical addiction is dependent on the substance and will need it to function normally.” When the effects start wearing off, seeking a more powerful dose is usually the catalyst for addiction.
This is not to say Adderall is a gateway drug, but it very well could be if put into the wrong hands.
It is incredibly important to remember that, at the end of the day, Adderall is
a drug. While it might make you feel superhuman or be a “study drug,” remembering to use it as prescribed and intended is the safest outcome for a happy and healthy life in college. If you feel like you can’t focus or study for long periods of time, check out some resources to make an appointment to be seen and find what works best for your needs. Alternatively, if you are someone who does not like your Adderall or a similar medication’s effects, natural resources like ashwagandha and other in-store accessible vitamins could be a game changer.
No Canvas assignment or test is worth going through the stages of Adderall addiction.
Ansley Graves / The Daily Beacon
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year, studying journalism. She can be reached at agrave24@vols.utk.edu.
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