According to a recent survey, much of the Kearns community didn’t know about International Overdose Awareness Day. International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st. This year, Utah held vigils everywhere from Northern Utah down to Moab and St. George to remember loved ones who have died from overdose. A survey was sent out shortly after August 31st, 2024, to see if people in Kearns knew about the observance and vigils. What was found was that no one who took the survey knew about August 31st even though 50% percent of them have lost someone close to them from drug overdose. How can the Utah government officials better advertise activities to the public?

According to the United States Department of Justice, “Utah is one of the only states that has increased overdose deaths from March 2023 to March 2024.” As the nation has decreased by 7.5% Utah has increased by over 9%. In the survey, of those that answered that have experienced an overdose death 60% indicated that this loss has happened in the past 5 years during Utah’s increase. The way Utah has worked to combat this increase is by starting to provide free fentanyl test strips and naloxone kits. Because of this increase, this year on August 31st there were 5+ vigils in various places in Utah for people to attend and mourn. Utah Governor Spencer Cox even ordered that all flags be lowered to half-staff for the day to recognize those who have lost their lives.

On the brighter side, Utah ranks at the seventh-lowest overdose death rate per capita in the nation. If more people were aware of the resources and activities that they are provided, then that ranking would decrease even more. If ever caught in a situation where you need it, 877-696-1996 is the Never Use Alone hotline dedicated to preventing overdose deaths. All the activities surrounding International Overdose Awareness Day would have more of a positive impact if people were made aware.