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Rx Drug Deaths Back on the Rise in Utah
Published: 05/02/2010 by UDOH
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The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) today announced the number of deaths associated with prescription drug overdoses in the state is once again on the rise. In 2009, 310 Utahns died of non-illicit drug overdose deaths, an increase from the 277 who died in 2008. Prescription drug overdoses are the number one cause of injury deaths in Utah, killing more people each year than car crashes.
The deaths occurred equally among males and females and took place in 21 of Utah's 29 counties. The average age at time of death was 41 years; the youngest victim was just 17, and the oldest was 86. Nearly all of the deaths (89.3 percent) involved opioids such as oxycodone or methadone.
"After a decrease in 2008, it's tremendously disheartening to see the number of deaths increasing again," said UDOH Executive Director Dr. David Sundwall. "We have a serious problem in this state, and in order to stop these unnecessary deaths we need to have a sustained effort to educate providers, patients and the general public about the potential harm associated with these drugs. In fact, I rank this near the top of public health priorities in Utah."
According to the State Medical Examiner, Utah has experienced a 400 percent increase in prescription drug deaths since 2000. A 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found Utah had the highest rate in the nation for nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers. In 2008, Utah experienced the largest decrease in prescription drug overdose deaths since 1994. The decrease came on the heels of legislative funding for the 'Use Only as Directed' campaign that addressed the problem through various intervention and education efforts.
In addition to a statewide media campaign, 'Use Only as Directed' has developed guidelines to help physicians safely prescribe medications and has conducted extensive research into the causes of drug-related deaths. The funding for the provider and public education activities was provided as part of a two-year legislative appropriation which has since expired.
"This problem is due to a complex set of factors and is unlikely to go away on its own," said UDOH State Epidemiologist Dr. Robert Rolfs. "Sustained and coordinated efforts by law enforcement, substance abuse prevention, health care providers, and public health will be needed if we are to prevent these avoidable deaths."
Several organizations in Utah are combining efforts to combat the growing epidemic. The Utah Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Project is a collaboration among law enforcement, substance abuse providers and public health. The Department of Environmental Quality is coordinating statewide 'Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet' efforts to encourage proper disposal of unused medications. The state Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health has named prescription drug abuse as a top priority. And a Utah physician has established the not-for-profit Zero Unintentional Deaths campaign.
For more information on these and other efforts visit www.UseOnlyAsDirected.org
