Covington, located in Tipton County, Tennessee, is right in the westernmost corner of the state near Mississippi and Arkansas. It is a mere 12 miles from the Mississippi River and is part of the Memphis Metropolitan Area.
As with many towns and cities close-by, Covington used to be home to several different Native American tribes who utilized the Mississippi River for trade purposes. When Europeans colonized the area, it quickly became a place filled with cotton plantations due to the hot, wet weather. Because of the amount of cotton plantations in the area, Covington was (along with the rest of Western Tennessee) known for its large amounts of slaves. During the Civil War, the Union took control of Covington, and shortly thereafter the Reconstruction Era began, where railroads were built up in the area.
Between the time of the Civil War and now, Covington has been riddled with complicated race relations between Caucasian and African-Americans, primarily due to the history of the land and slavery.
Demographics
Today, Covington is made up of 51.59% Caucasians, 46.54% African Americans, and less than 1% of Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanic or Latino, or people from two or more races.
The average income for a family in Covington is $32,213, with men bringing in an average $28, 964 yearly in comparison to $20,938 for women.
Approximately 25.2% of families and 27.9% of the population currently live below the poverty line, which is more than two times the national average.
Covington and Drugs
Covington is no stranger to ethical and racial problems, nor is it a stranger to poverty. While several families do well in Covington, there is a large group of those who are struggling to make ends meet. When it comes to drug abuse, this area is a hot spot for substance abuse.
In 2018, there were 30 overdose deaths in the county, 27 of which were caused by opioids. Comparatively, in 2015, the county only experienced two opioid-related overdose deaths.
Covington, like many other cities in the country, are overwhelmed by the opioid crisis. Prescription painkillers, specifically fentanyl, and heroin are being abused at astronomical rates. And, with new legislation, drug dealers in Covington can now be charged with murder if they supply drugs to someone who overdoses.
Opioid abuse is a serious problem, as it can completely destroy the lives of users and their loved ones. Abusing opioids like fentanyl, oxycodone, and heroin can cause severe physical health problems, as well as any number of psychological complications. Plus, with heroin being laced with fentanyl on a regular basis in the area, the risk for accidental overdose is much greater.
In addition to opioids, other drugs like crack and meth are prevalent in Covington. Both of these drugs, which are stimulants, can cause heart disease, heart attacks, and heart arrhythmia, as well as depression and suicidal thoughts when unable to use. And, when users combine these medications with opioids, the chance for overdosing is increased dramatically.
Get Help Today
If you are living in the Covington area and are in need of professional addiction treatment, do not waste one more day. Reach out for the help that you need in order to save your life before it is too late.