Utah Funding Priorities

Overdose prevention funding - Utah

There were 107,968 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2022 (34.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population), a 1.2% increase from 2021.1

• There were 627 overdose deaths in Utah in 20222
• There were 19.8 overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted) in Utah in 20222

Overdose prevention programs

• Overdose Data to Action in States
  • Utah Department of Health: $2,710,977

• Overdose Data to Action: LOCAL
  • Salt Lake County Public Health: $890,000

• Public Health and Public Safety
  • Overdose Response Strategy: $87,600*

*average award amount

Examples of how Utah is working to prevent overdose

Overdose prevention and response strategies

Utah collects and analyzes data to identify communities at high risk for overdose. The data is then used to coordinate the distribution of overdose prevention products such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips to partners, and to schedule training sessions on harm reduction strategies.

Naloxone distribution and community training

In Utah, Bear River Health Department Community Health Services successfully established partnerships with local health departments to distribute naloxone to community members, medication-assisted clients, and substance use treatment staff. Naloxone training was also provided to treatment agencies, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals.

Opioid settlement priorities

With support from their Overdose Response Strategy Team, Utah created the Utah Opioid Settlement Priorities Survey to learn the best strategies for allocating state-wide resources. This effort garnered support among key public safety stakeholders and law enforcement. In addition to expanding treatment and recovery in rural areas, other programs identified via the survey include programs to establish and maintain stable housing, social-legal partnerships, and scholarship programs to help people affected by opioid use disorder. The survey results are available on a public-facing website aimed at educating the public on resource allocations and their intended use.

Youth safety campaign

The Salt Lake County Health Department launched an awareness campaign at a local library focused on opioid misuse prevention. The campaign displays a “Know Your Script” wall mural at the Marmalade Branch Library in Salt Lake City, designed by local youth to create inspirational messages on drug safety in the community.