Fentanyl Drug The Most Overdose Deaths in Utah
*Original story Salt Lake Tribune: By By Megan Banta and Yeonseung Kim | Nov. 24, 2024, 1:00 p.m. | Updated: Nov. 25, 2024, 3:42 p.m.
Mysti Lopez found fentanyl drug at the Jordan River Trail, a popular spot for deals.
She grew up surrounded by relatives with substance use disorder, then turned to heroin herself.
Lopez has been sober for more than three years and works to support others in recovery.
Fentanyl use has soared in Utah, with 290 people dying from overdoses last year.
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Utah’s new fentanyl task force will disrupt drug trafficking networks, reduce demand, promote prevention, offer treatment, and sometimes pursue temporary incarceration to help people get sober.
Advocates want the state to boost harm reduction efforts to help people use substances safely until they’re ready for treatment.
Why is the fentanyl drug surge happening?
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says illegally manufactured fentanyl drug is fueling the drug’s use in Utah because it’s cheap to produce.
The DEA seized pills before they hit the streets and has been doing so in record numbers.
Utah communities have an “oversupply” of pills, and it could take just one to cause a fatal overdose.
70% of the pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
How is Utah already trying to help people?
Cox’s announcement of the task force coincided with the first day Utahns started receiving ballots.
A Democrat challenged Cox’s reelection bid and criticized the announcement as “political theater.”
Law enforcement, public health officials, and harm reduction programs have been working together before this program to decrease the spread of disease and provide a safer route for drug use that’s going to happen anyway.
The health department has distributed hundreds of thousands of doses of naloxone, an injectable emergency opioid overdose treatment, and Narcan, a nasal spray version, through Utah Naloxone, founded by state Sen. Jen Plumb.
The Southeast Utah Health Department’s program provides strips to test drugs for fentanyl and xylazine, a non-opioid tranquilizer also being laced into illegal drugs.
What else is needed?
Around 10 syringe exchanges across the state are helping people avoid HIV and hepatitis C and have less syringe litter, said MacKenzie Bray, executive director of The Salt Lake City Harm Reduction Project.
Some advocates want to see access to a safe supply and spaces to use safely, but the state can’t even tolerate talking about it.
Still, Utah has made a lot of progress.
It could expand its support by providing more access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment.
Lead with compassion, advocates urge
Mackenzie Bray was starting a syringe exchange when her brother died of an opioid overdose.
She remembers him as funny and intelligent.
Vincent stressed that Utahns don’t need compassion for the behavior but rather for what’s driving it.
Plumb said she has watched over the decades as people have realized substance use disorder is a tragic disease, but stigma is still a significant barrier.
Lopez agrees. “You think you’re not worth it or you’re just another statistic.”
Join Level Up IOP SUDC Program
Manny and Mysti Lopez are determined to help anyone in need, who want to run an honest program and find healing.
Level Up IOP SUDC Program was born out of love of people and a desire to help others struggling with addiction.
