Utah's Opioid Prescriptions Drop 26%, Yet Addiction Persists
Originally Published 2 years ago — by KSL.com
Utah celebrates a 26% reduction in opioid prescriptions over the past five years, with daily prescriptions dropping from 7,000 to 5,200. The achievement was marked by the installation of two pill-bottle chandeliers at McKay-Dee Hospital, symbolizing the significant decrease in prescriptions. Health care providers, such as Intermountain Health, have played a crucial role in changing prescribing patterns and reducing the number of opioids prescribed to patients. However, there is still more work to be done, including distributing naloxone, expanding treatment resources, and eliminating the stigma around substance addiction. The collaborative effort aims to further reduce opioid use, treat addiction, and save lives.