I am writing to bring attention to a pressing issue that I’ve seen in our community: the lack of support for harm reduction programs aimed at individuals dealing with substance use disorders in Salt Lake City and its surrounding areas.
With the rise in Fentanyl use and other opiates being mixed with Fentanyl, and the alarming number of overdoses occurring not just in Utah but throughout the nation. It’s disheartening to see our community fall short of fully embracing harm reduction strategies. Initiatives such as supervised consumption sites, widespread naloxone distribution, testing strips, and syringe exchange programs have been shown to effectively reduce overdoses, curb the transmission of diseases, lower incarceration rates, and connect individuals with the resources they need for recovery if they choose that path.
While programs like the Utah Harm Reduction Coalition actively provide Fentanyl test strips to individuals and run syringe exchange services in some regions of the state, similar initiatives are either underdeveloped or completely missing in other areas of the state. The misunderstanding of these initiatives only adds to the stigma around addiction, which increases the harm to those in active addiction.
In Salt Lake City, for instance, a growing number of individuals need assistance. Instead of viewing them as “bad” or assuming they “just want to get high,” promoting harm reduction can empower many to embark on positive life changes, paving a path to recovery. Recovery is a deeply personal journey that takes many shapes and cannot be defined by a single method.
It is time for our community to unite in support of harm reduction policies. I urge local leaders and health officials to take meaningful action by advocating for these essential programs.
Tracy Slack, Salt Lake City
