Utah Naloxone has hit a milestone in reversing opioid overdoses throughout Utah communities. Photo courtesy of Nalaxone Utah.
Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.” But what happens when the sun doesn’t shine—when the light skips over certain stories, and they slip past our attention? It’s surprising how easy it is to overlook certain news reports, especially when they don’t personally affect us at that moment. Often, it’s even easier to ignore them when no light has been shed on their true significance.
Many have heard or read about the opioid overdose crisis in Utah, but few realize that in 2014, the state ranked 4th in the nation for overdose-related deaths. Thanks to those who raised awareness and worked tirelessly to bring change, we can celebrate that as of 2021, Utah has dropped to 42nd in overdose death rates.
Through the years opioid overdoses have impacted communities across the state; many have lost family members, friends, and neighbors. But with prevention activities shedding light, there is now more support and education available for those battling this crisis.
In 2014, Utah passed the Opiate Overdose Emergency Treatment Act, legalizing the distribution of naloxone rescue kits, and allowing individuals to carry the medication in case someone near them experienced an opioid overdose.
Since then, Utah Naloxone—a nonprofit organization founded in July 2015—has partnered with healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, and public libraries, in hopes of reaching the same goal: to save lives by reducing opioid-related deaths.
Dr. Jennifer Plumb, Medical Director and Co-founder of Utah Naloxone, reflected on the achievement: “We went from this little organization—me and my brother Sam—donating 1,000 doses of naloxone when we started in 2015, trying to put it in the hands of people who might need it… to reaching a place where there are so many folks who have been touched, folks who either lost somebody or know someone who has lost somebody, to now over 430,000 doses—more than 215,000 kits out across the state.”
Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. It has played a critical role in saving the lives of over 12,500 Utahns, marking a major turning point for the state.
“It’s amazing yet terrifying to me that we need them that often but I’m also grateful that there have been so many people who have stepped up to be prepared, people wanting to be a part of bettering their community is really something,” said Dr. Plumb.
This type of awareness has provoked people to have open discussions of substance-related issues, whether in their own lives or within their families. This has made more room for needed conversations about what it means to save a life, or to have one’s own life saved.
“Sam and I cofounded this because we lost our brother to a heroin overdose. We thought what if this would’ve been available for him at that moment. We lost him in 1996 – before this was even a conversation,” Dr. Plumb shared. “For us as a family watching that unfold, we saw this as a huge opportunity when the state passed the access law in 2014. That was our big momentum. Even though our brother is not here he is doing a lot of good”
Utah Naloxone hosts virtual trainings every 2–3 weeks where participants learn how to assist someone at risk of an opioid overdose and receive a free naloxone rescue kit. Free kits are available at every Salt Lake City library and directly through Utah Naloxone.
While the situation has improved and there is now more support for those who are struggling, there is still work to be done. This is a reminder for all of us to prioritize individual lives as they walk their path to recovery.
“Naloxone is just a fire extinguisher—it doesn’t fix the underlying thing that has people in that space,” explained Dr. Plumb. “My hope for us as a state (not just an organization) is that we continue to foster those with substance use related issues and substance use disorders, like people that need care, treatment and recovery support. That is the next step for the state.”
For more information on naloxone resources, visit the Utah Naloxone website.