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Park City pushes for Naloxone Awareness amid ongoing Drug Crisis

Park City pushes for Naloxone Awareness amid ongoing Drug Crisis

Regardless of the city you’re in, drug use is just one aspect of the larger picture.

“Sometimes we pretend in communities, like ours in Park City, that nothing is wrong, and under the surface, a lot of times, there are definitely underlying issues,” said Park City Councilwoman Tana Toly.

Park City is attempting to make June 6 “National Naloxone Awareness Day,” in an effort to dispel stigmas and promote education.

“These are the types of things that stick with us as officers, because we are human beings,” said Lt. Danielle Snelson with the Park City Police Department.

According to Toly, the subject is personal.

“I have had it touch multiple people in my family, including my brother and my ex-husband,” she said. “Our drug court system in Park City has been revolutionary in helping my brother recover.”

Snelson, who has personal experience with similar situations, stated that the city is still evolving.

“I feel that Park City has been the same over the last couple of years. Our numbers haven’t gone up too much. In fact, I think the last couple of years, they’ve gone slightly down,” she said.

But any figure is too high, she replied.

Snelson underlined that parents should keep a close eye on their children’s use of social media because it can have an influence.

“They want to fit in, they want something to post so that they get the likes,” she said.

There may be warning indications, Snelson noted.

“Are they disengaged? Are they being more reclusive than normal?” she said. “Do you notice, maybe bloodshot eyes, or they’re lethargic?”

Other resources in Park City include free naloxone boxes provided by Summit County and a drug court system that aids in residents’ rehabilitation.

“Drug and alcohol abuse touch everyone’s lives. It doesn’t matter where you live or how much money you have. It affects all of us,” Toly said.

To ensure that no family has to receive that heartbreaking phone call, officials said it’s critical that everyone do their share.

“The last thing we want to have to do is respond to one of these calls and have to tell family members that their loved one has died because of something that could have been prevented,” Snelson said.

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