Utah ACEs and Overdose Prevention Funding

ACEs prevention funding - Utah

ACEs are preventable, potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). Examples include neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, or having a family member attempt or die by suicide.

*ACE statistics are reported by U.S. adults and include exposure to eight types of ACEs: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing intimate partner violence, household substance abuse, household mental illness, parental separation or divorce, and incarcerated household member.

Other Support for ACEs in Utah

Beyond the ACEs appropriation, CDC supports several initiatives, research, and partnerships to build state and tribal surveillance infrastructure and enhance ACEs prevention and mitigation.

In Utah, some of those other initiatives include:

• Essentials for Childhood
• Overdose Data to Action

Overdose prevention funding - Utah

There were 106,699 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2021 (32.4 deaths per 100,000 standard population), a 16% increase from 2020.2

*average award amount

Examples of how Utah is working to prevent overdose

Overdose prevention and response strategies

Utah collects and analyzes data to identify communities at high risk for overdose. The data is then used to coordinate the distribution of overdose prevention products such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips to partners, and to schedule training sessions on harm reduction strategies.

Naloxone distribution and community training

In Utah, Bear River Health Department Community Health Services successfully established partnerships with local health departments to distribute naloxone to community members, medication-assisted clients, and substance use treatment staff. Naloxone training was also provided to treatment agencies, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals.

Opioid settlement priorities

With support from their Overdose Response Strategy Team, Utah created the Utah Opioid Settlement Priorities Survey to learn the best strategies for allocating state-wide resources. This effort garnered support among key public safety stakeholders and law enforcement. In addition to expanding treatment and recovery in rural areas, other programs identified via the survey include programs to establish and maintain stable housing, social-legal partnerships, and scholarship programs to help people affected by opioid use disorder. The survey results are available on a public-facing website aimed at educating the public on resource allocations and their intended use.

Youth safety campaign

The Salt Lake County Health Department launched an awareness campaign at a local library focused on opioid misuse prevention. The campaign displays a “Know Your Script” wall mural at the Marmalade Branch Library in Salt Lake City, designed by local youth to create inspirational messages on drug safety in the community.