A Letter for Opioid Awareness

I am writing to bring light to the topic of opioid’s in the beehive state. As you know, opioid abuse and dependency is on the rise across the country. This epidemic is spreading fast and is affecting many lives locally in the state of Utah. This letter is urging for a reformation on drug education and prescription administration on the state level. There should be some level of accountability taken politically and professionally in the health care industry.

Kelly Gifford of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote in May of this year that nearly 24 Utah residents die monthly from opioid related deaths. Our great state of Utah ranks 7th nationally for drug-overdose deaths since 2013. It is my understanding that state officials are deploying $5.5 million in federal cash to attack this crisis. This is a noble act and will work tremendously to bolster drug rehabilitation programs across Utah’s counties. However, if the citizens of our great state are entering drug programs, it’s already too late. We have failed as educators, policy makers and community leaders.

Since 2007, Utah’s legislature has passed 101 laws in attempt to address prescription misuse. It appears that many of these have failed to pan out in the larger scheme of opioid abuse and misuse. Angela Stander, Utah’s Department of Health’s prescription-overdose prevention coordinator, believes this epidemic stems from doctors and opioid prescribers. An advocate for public awareness campaigns, Stander is animate at targeting these professionals and urging them to prescribe less. In turn, it’s hoped that the reduction in opioid availability will promote patient awareness and education. Standers acts are noble and should be replicated by leaders throughout the state of Utah. The efforts of political officials, community leaders and drug abuse advocates should shift to prevention, education and public awareness. The more citizens of Utah that can hear the dangers, effects and ramifications of opioid’s, the better chance we have at a reformation. 

I appreciate everything that you do for our great State. I’m hoping that, political parties, citizens and communities can prevent this epidemic from continual destruction and set a precedent for other states to follow. Thank you for listening to my suggestions. 

Sincerely,

Beau Kallas
Drug Abuse Advocate