What: The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and Utah Coalition for Opioid Overdose Prevention will host a roundtable discussion with experts in pain management, nursing, psychology, chiropractic, obstetrics and genecology, general medicine, and insurance on how to best solve the opioid problem in Utah.
Why: Although the rate of opioid prescriptions per 1,000 Utahns has declined by 22.3% from 2014 to 2017, the percentage of those receiving high dose opioids remained consistent at 11.4%. On average, one Utahn dies from an opioid overdose every day.
Who: Interviews available include:
- Scott Atkinson, patient advocate
- Rhonda Christensen, patient advocate
- Angela Ito, prescription drug overdose prevention coordinator, UDOH
- Michael Giovanniello, physician, The Smart Clinic
- Trish Henrie-Barrus, psychologist, Riverwoods Behavioral Health
- Scott Whittle, physician, SelectHealth
When: Friday, November 2, 2018, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Valley Fair MegaPlex
Conference room (located above the movie theater)
3620 South 2400 West
West Valley City, UT 84119
Note: The media is welcome to attend the entirety of the roundtable discussion, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Opening remarks will be given from 9:00-9:30 a.m. followed by interview opportunities with the experts listed above from 9:30-10:00 a.m.
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Media Contact:
Katie McMinn
385-272-6306
kmcminn@utah.gov