Addiction in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, hasn’t made much data public in terms of their opioid problem. This does not mean that they don’t have one, however. From 2013 to 2015, Utah as a whole ranked number seventh nationally for deaths caused by overdose. While this ranking improved in 2016, falling to 20th, the actual reduction in number of deaths was marginal, falling from 646 to 635. Utah’s improved ranking was actually due to a rise in the number of deaths in other states. Provisional data suggests that the number of annual overdose deaths in Utah has climbed again to 672.
Oxycodone in Salt Lake City
Within Utah, 55% of prescription opioid overdoses involved oxycodone or medications containing oxycodone. This is such a huge percentage, that the next highest, hydrocodone, came in at 17.7%. In 2015, 24 individuals died from prescription opioids every month. That makes 288 deaths a year from prescription drugs, 158 of which involved oxycodone. Despite that, oxycodone’s rate of death per 100,000 prescriptions was among the lowest; the only lower death rate from prescription medications was hydrocodone.
Despite there not being a solid, reported number, oxycodone’s low death rate, yet high number of deaths, reveals that oxycodone is more heavily prescribed than any other opioid in Utah. Like many states, Utah has joined the fight against pharmaceutical companies who have been pushing prescription medications through hospitals and clinics.
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Heroin in Salt Lake City
The number of deaths from heroin in Salt Lake City has increased since 2015. The confirmed number of deaths of Utah residents in 2016 was 166, a jump from 127 the previous year. This increase makes sense, as heroin is much cheaper than illicitly gained prescription pills. As long as the number of people addicted to prescription opioids remains the same, more will eventually turn to heroin as a cheaper, more potent option. Without treating the prescription opioid problem, heroin will never go away.
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Salt Lake City Addiction Statistics
635
deaths
In 2016, there were 635 deaths from drugs in Salt Lake City.
288
deaths
In 2016, 288 of Salt Lake City’s drug related deaths involved prescription opioids.
166
death
In 2016, there were 166 deaths from heroin in Salt Lake City
Finding Help in Salt Lake City
Finding treatment is always a hard thing to do, especially in the city where your addiction was born. Luckily, the state of Utah has a beautiful, unique landscape that treatment centers are able to take advantage of and bring you out of the city. If you or someone you love suffer from addiction, try looking for a solution outside of Salt Lake City. You might need someplace far away from the state to make a big enough change. If you don’t know where that is, or how to start your search, then reach out to a dedicated treatment provider. They are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
