U.S. drug overdose deaths increased by nearly 15% in 2021 from the previous record set in 2020, according to CDC estimates.
Last year was deadliest yet for overdose deaths in U.S. Can Utah buck the trend? |
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| | Utah was one of only a few states where overdose deaths decreased prior to the pandemic, said Dr. Jennifer Plumb, co-founder of Utah Naloxone, an advocacy group that helps distribute kits that can reverse overdoses caused by opioids. But U.S. drug overdose deaths increased by nearly 15% in 2021 from the previous record set in 2020, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the causes are likely myriad, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic seems an obvious culprit to many. Plumb believes the best way forward is better health care, better treatment and addressing the root issues that lead to addiction in the first place. “It isn’t just the people that are camped out under a viaduct or in a camper in a park,” Plumb said. “It’s our entire society. I don’t know many people who don’t have a connection one way or another to addiction and overdose.” |
Read more about a Salt Lake City clinic's new substance use recovery center that aims to provide high-level care to underserved communities. |
| Citing concerns with the bipartisan Utah Debate Commission, the Utah Republican Party is moving ahead with plans to sponsor its own debates between primary contenders for Senate and Congress. Utah GOP Chairman Carson Jorgensen views a party-sponsored debate as being “in lieu of” the commission’s debate, but he said the party will leave it up to the candidates to decide whether or not to participate in the latter. Sen. Mike Lee's campaign — and others — were uncomfortable with the debate commission’s format, according to Jorgensen. Jorgensen said a date hasn’t been picked for the Senate debate, but he said all candidates had agreed to participate. The GOP plans to host debates for all congressional races, but Reps. John Curtis and Burgess Owens will both be out of town on the scheduled dates, with commitments made before the events were scheduled. The Utah Debate Commission will hold debates for congressional districts 2, 3 and 4 on June 1 in Salt Lake City, with the 1 District and the Senate debate the following day. Read more about why the debate commission and the Utah GOP can't agree. More in Politics What did Jeff Bezos say to Joe Biden? (Deseret News) Weber County elections officials to open office to public as primary looms (The Standard-Examiner) | FROM OUR SPONSOR ENVISION UTAH Join Envision Utah for a discussion on the future of housing! You’re invited to Envision Utah’s Spring Breakfast! Join us and hundreds of community leaders as we dive into the future of Utah housing with national expert Ali Wolf. We'll discuss current housing trends, steps for improved affordability and predictions for the future. Register today! | Health Here are the findings of the Abbott baby formula investigation. What does this mean for the shortage? (Deseret News) Do you have a sweet tooth? These candies are being recalled (Deseret News) Intermountain Healthcare cancer program receives national accreditation (KSL.com) Why Dr. Angela Dunn says finally catching COVID-19 was ‘no big deal’ (Deseret News) Faith The fiercest advocate for religious freedom may be a Latter-day Saint Democrat (Deseret News) Charts show Church’s ongoing growth through 191 years (Church News) Perspective: What can we learn from the historic number of weddings set for this summer? (Deseret News) How buying a Virginia home uncovered the truth about one family’s enslaved ancestors (Deseret News) Southern Utah Teen dies in sand tunnel collapse at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (KSL.com) Reward offered for info leading to arrests, recovery of $200,000 in property taken from SunRiver home (St. George News) Northern Utah $10K goal reached for puppy rescued after being thrown from moving car (KSL.com) This structure will remain after the rest of the Utah State Prison is torn down (KSL.com) Evermore is not dead yet (Utah Business) Environment New federal funding is coming for environmental projects. Here are 12 projects happening in Utah (Deseret News) Is your home at risk of wildfire? A new map shows the danger level (Deseret News) Utah agency says it's OK to water your lawn. Here's when it is recommended (KSL.com) The West Salt Lake City metro ranks No. 3 in nation for largest rent prices increases, report says (Deseret News) The Nation Perspective: Four ways to fight white supremacy (Deseret News) The latest details on the California church shooting (Deseret News) The roots of the ‘Great Replacement’ theory that enraged the Buffalo shooter (Deseret News) Video of Buffalo mass shooting viewed millions of times, suspect said the idea of livestreaming gave him ‘motivation’ (Deseret News) Karine Jean-Pierre’s debut as White House press secretary (Deseret News) The World Why Thailand is giving away free cannabis plants to its citizens (Deseret News) Sweden and Finland confirm intentions to join NATO (Deseret News) McDonald’s is leaving Russia for good (Deseret News) Entertainment After ‘American Idol’ return, Carrie Underwood reveals major cross-country tour (Deseret News) Billboard Music Awards 2022: Travis Scott and Morgan Wallen made a comeback, Olivia Rodrigo wins big as new artist (Deseret News) After 8 seasons, Kelly Clarkson is leaving ‘The Voice’ (Deseret News) Sports The Randy Rahe era at Weber State is over (Deseret News) BYU football’s 2023 game vs. Tennessee has been canceled. Here’s why (Deseret News) |
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