HEALTH

Lt. Governor Announces New Initiatives to Combat Opioid Addiction

Oct 1, 2018, 8:23 PM | Updated: 9:37 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Speaking alongside several other state leaders, in health, human services, and law enforcement, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox announced Monday that Utah is one of only nine states to report a drop in heroin and opioid-related deaths between 2016 and 2017.

At the same time, he reiterated his feelings that it’s not enough.

“Every single death of despair is preventable,” Cox said, speaking of overdoses and suicide. “There’s no question that these two areas are very, very closely related.”

Cox said that people in Utah need to treat addiction and mental illness for what they are.

MORE: The Danger of Opioid Addiction & How To Prevent It

“When something inside of us is broken, we feel like we can’t share that,” Cox said. “We have to change that. We have to change the culture around it. We have to be able to talk about these things. Only then will people be able to come out of the darkness and get the help that they need.”

While Cox said the State of Utah has made progress in fighting an opioid epidemic, he also announced new initiatives that the Utah Coalition for Opioid Overdose Prevention will take. Those efforts include:

  • A $3.2 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention that will establish real-time monitoring and reporting of overdose events.
  • An overhauled Controlled Substance Database, that will allow doctors to see potential red-flag issues that may exist within a patient, before they issue a prescription.
  • Grants from The Utah Department of Human Services that will allow local communities to implement evidence-based prevention activities, and help supply and train first responders with Nalaxone.
  • A Drug Monitoring Initiative that will alert law enforcement to emerging drug threats within the state of Utah.

A recovering addict at the meeting, Will Ferguson said the efforts are appreciated, but that he’d like to see more schools welcome speakers like himself, who can share personal experiences.

“I struggled with pain pill addiction for 20 something years,” Ferguson said. “I don’t just talk about addiction. I talk about consequence.”

Ferguson said in a previous interview with KSL, that he at one time took more than a hundred pills a day. He hopes real-life stories like his can help motivate youth to stay away from drugs.

“I’m not cured. I have to deal with this every day of my whole life,” Ferguson said. “I think that a lot of people are stuck on this evidence-based, that they’re not looking at the whole picture.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Health

Utah State University carefully monitors their dairy cattle and follows the bird flu cases across t...

Shelby Lofton

Expert at Utah State University explains bird flu risks and transmission between cows and humans

Utah State University professors are keeping an eye on the status of  Avian Influenza, also known as the bird flu, across the country. There are no confirmed cases in Utah, but they're still being extra careful.

14 hours ago

Dr. Adam Balls out on a run with his daughter as part of his self-care routine....

Emma Benson

400 days and counting: ER doc’s exercise streak improves his mental health

A Utah doctor is encouraging everyone to join him in getting into an exercise routine to help with their mental health.

14 hours ago

Meggan Mosyjowski suffered an ACL injury earlier this year while skiing and needed surgery. But as ...

Emma Benson

Doctors say new ‘BEAR’ procedure could be future of ACL reconstruction

Meggan Mosyjowski suffered an ACL injury earlier this year while skiing and needed surgery. But as she discussed options with her doctor, she learned about a new procedure. 

2 days ago

Ongoing tests of dairy products by the US Food and Drug Administration have not found any active H5...

Brenda Goodman, CNN

Continued FDA testing finds no active bird flu virus in variety of dairy products

Ongoing testing of milk and dairy products by the US Food and Drug Administration has not found any active H5N1 bird flu virus in 297 samples of products purchased in grocery stores, the agency said Wednesday.

2 days ago

FILE - A radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer in Los Angeles, ...

Carla K. Johnson, AP Medical Writer

Panel: Mammograms should start at 40 to address rising breast cancer rates at younger ages

Regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer should start younger — at age 40. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced the updated guidance Tuesday.

3 days ago

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)...

Zeke Miller, Joshua Goodman, Jim Mustian and Lindsay Whitehurst

US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Lt. Governor Announces New Initiatives to Combat Opioid Addiction