Friends of Recovery Utah

09/04/2026

The fact that the criminal justice system is the largest behavioral health provider in our state is an abject policy failure.

Salt Lake County recently teamed up with the Leifman Group to evaluate our local resources and build a roadmap for reform. The approach relies on the Sequential Intercept Model, a framework that helps identify the exact moments where we can step in and divert people out of the criminal justice system and into community treatment.

We just broke down the main takeaways from this new report. From updating 911 protocols to expanding mobile crisis outreach teams, there are concrete steps our community can take to support recovery instead of incarceration.

Read the full update and see what these recommendations mean for Utah: https://www.forutah.org/updates/rethinking-justice-in-2026/

For those of us in the recovery community, the intersection of the criminal justice system and behavioral health is an all-too-familiar reality. Too often, jails become default holding centers for individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance use disorders. In late 2025, Salt Lake Count...

09/01/2026

September is National Recovery Month! 💜 This year’s theme is “Recover Your Way,” celebrating the beautiful reality that there is no single path to healing.

Whether you're gearing up for the 23rd Annual Salt Lake City Recovery Day on September 12th, looking for local events across the state, or wanting to become more engaged, we have you covered.

Check out our full guide to rallies, events, and ways to get involved this month: https://www.forutah.org/updates/recovery-month-2026/

September is National Recovery Month! Every year, this month serves as a powerful reminder that recovery from substance use disorders is not only possible but is happening all around us. The 2026 theme is "Recover Your Way," highlighting the beautiful reality that there is no single path to healing....

08/31/2026

Today marks 25 years of International Overdose Awareness Day.

This year’s theme, “25 Years On. Still Needed.,” reminds us that behind every statistic is a person who was loved and is deeply missed. Today is a time to hold space for grief, show up for families impacted by substance use, and spread the message that overdose is preventable.

Together, through open conversations and compassionate action, we can build a world where this day is no longer needed. 💜

08/31/2026

We're building political power for Utah's recovery community. We champion policy and advance systemic change so every Utahn affected by mental health and substance use conditions can recover and thrive.

08/28/2026

As we approach Overdose Awareness Day, it is important to understand that Naloxone is a highly specific tool with one job: reversing a life-threatening opioid overdose by knocking opioid molecules out of the brain's receptors. It cannot get you high, and it is completely non-addictive. The only thing it enables is breathing.

Want to understand the exact science behind how this medication acts as an emergency override? Read the full article here: https://www.forutah.org/updates/how-naloxone-works-to-reverse-an-overdose/

One of the most persistent myths surrounding overdose reduction efforts is the idea that carrying naloxone (often known by the brand name Narcan) somehow "enables" drug use. This misconception stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what naloxone actually does inside the human body. To dismantl...

08/26/2026

As we look toward Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, it is clear no amount of money can undo the damage of the opioid epidemic, but Utah’s $543 million in settlement funds is a critical opportunity to fund life-saving recovery resources. We break down the state vs. county split, the current funded programs, and how you can get involved:

In 2021, nationwide settlements were reached to resolve litigation against major pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers for their role in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic. While no amount of money can bring back the lives lost or undo the profound damage inflicted on families, these s...

08/24/2026

August 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event aimed at raising awareness, reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledging the profound grief felt by families and friends. Here in Utah, this day serves as a poignant reminder of the lives we've lost, the resilience of our recovery community, and the urgent work that still lies ahead.

August 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event aimed at raising awareness, reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledging the profound grief felt by families and friends. Here in Utah, this day serves as a poignant reminder of the lives we've lost, the resilien...

08/13/2026

A new federal framework titled Best Practices Toolkit: Addressing Homelessness and Addiction through “Treatment First” missed the mark. Policies must reflect the nuanced, non-linear reality of recovery, and in several key areas, this toolkit gets recovery wrong.

A new federal framework titled Best Practices Toolkit: Addressing Homelessness and Addiction through “Treatment First” was released. When we view this toolkit through the lens of lived experience, stigma reduction, and on-the-ground behavioral health awareness, several urgent structural concerns...