While many locals have heard that Uintah County Sheriff’s Office is the first in the State of Utah to supply Naloxone rescue kits to inmates upon release, some are asking why. In a press conference last month, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and leaders with the Utah Naloxone organization offered their explanation, saying the experimental program gives people a fighting chance at redemption. Studies have shown that within the first two weeks of an inmate’s release from incarceration, inmates are 40 times more likely to die of an overdose. The partnership between Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, the Utah Opioid Task Force, and Utah Naloxone offers what they consider an innovative solution, one that if it proves successful, will likely prompt other law enforcement agencies to follow suit. “This will save lives. I guarantee you,” said Dr. Jennifer Plumb with Utah Naloxone during the press conference. “This will save lives that we would have reached no other way.” Dr. Plumb and the Utah Naloxone organization also stress the importance of educating and supplying family members and friends with the Naloxone rescue kits. The hope, of course, is to provide life saving measures while people work towards recovery and the rescue kits are being made readily available in communities throughout Utah. Uintah County Sheriff Steve Labrum also spoke about being on board with this effort. “We need to get as many kits as we can into as many hands as we can,” shared Uintah County Sheriff Steve Labrum. “Just because you’re currently dealing with addiction, doesn’t mean you’re not worth saving.” For more information on Naloxone rescue kits, visit
www.utahnaloxone.org
.
