Fentanyl pills seized by Utah law enforcement and handed over to the Utah Department of Public Safety. (Photo courtesy of the Utah Department of Public Safety)
Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in the state, according to a new report from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
There were 606 drug overdose deaths reported in 2023, a 14.3% jump from 2022. The report found 290 of those deaths involved fentanyl. Drug overdose deaths peaked in 2015 and haven’t dipped since. More people died from fatal drug overdoses in 2023 than ever before, and for the first time, there are more deaths from fentanyl than methamphetamine, according to the report’s findings.
“The sharp increase in the number of fentanyl-involved deaths outpaces reductions in deaths from prescription opioids,” said Dr. Deirdre Amaro, chief medical examiner. “We will likely see an increase in the drug overdose death rate if this trend continues.”
With a record-number of Utahns dying from overdoses, state announces new fentanyl task force
Utah launched a fentanyl task force, which DHHS is part of, last October to combat the drug market. The objectives of the task force include educating the public, disrupting trafficking networks, partnering with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, addressing the root causes of fentanyl use, collecting data on drug usage, and looking at policies and penalties for those convicted of dealing drugs.
“We appreciate the dedication and support of Governor Cox and the Utah State Legislature in addressing the overdose crisis,” said Tracy Gruber, DHHS executive director. “There’s much work to do but DHHS is committed to preventing unnecessary suffering and death in our families and communities and helping all Utahns have fair and equitable opportunities to live healthy and safe lives.”
The task force met Thursday to discuss the report’s findings.
“Our subgroup leaders identified immediate next steps for action, many of which are now underway, to reduce the impact of fentanyl in our communities,” Gov. Spencer Cox said in a post to X.
Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R-Farr West, has introduced a bill that would make trafficking fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance a first-degree felony.
In a post to X on Wednesday, the official Utah House Majority account praised the bill.
“Rep. Matt Gwynn’s bill hands out presumptive prison sentences to fentanyl traffickers, increasing penalties while investing in law enforcement programs to disrupt the supply of dangerous drugs in Utah,” the post read.
The report also found that middle-age men have a significantly higher rate of drug overdose death; people who experience homelessness die at a much faster and younger rate than those who are not homeless; and southeastern Utah counties like Emery, Grand, Summit, Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah have higher rates of drug overdoses.
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