A Look at the Utah Town Hall on Opioids

May 7, 2019

Recently the Utah Attorney General’s office had the opportunity to join Utah DEA and Utah Naloxone for an Opioid Town Hall, hosted by former Fox News host Eric Bolling.

Part of Addicted Utah, an ongoing series by KUTV, the town hall included Assistant AG Scott Reed, Utah Naloxone co-founder Dr. Jennifer Plumb, DEA District Agent in Charge Brian Besser, and was moderated by 2News anchor, Jim Spiewak.

The town hall featured stories of former addicts, addressed the increase in opioid and non-fatal drug overdoses and the danger of Benzo’s, as well as impact on veterans, how to recognize an overdose, and steps being taken to combat the opioid epidemic in Utah.

“This is an unprecedented time for all of us. We need more than ever to work together – a concerted effort to understand and to defeat the problem as a community.”
Utah Assistant Attorney General Scott Reed

You can watch Town Hall Your Voice, Your Future – Opioids: A National Crisis below.

For more information on the effect of opioids in Utah, visit KUTV’s Addicted Utah series.

Public Service Recognition Week

May 6, 2019

During Public Service Recognition Week, the Utah Attorney General’s office acknowledges the countless civil servants who have dedicated their lives to serve their fellow citizens.

Our country is strong due to the hard work and selfless dedication of men and women across various fields using their needed talents and skills. From teachers to mail carriers, first responders to transit workers, and law enforcement officers to government personnel, we are grateful to those who work to keep our nation safe and prosperous.

Take time this week to thank the public servants you know, or the ones you come across during your day, for all they do on our behalf every day.

ICYMI: Combating Child Pornography in Utah

April 29, 2019

Last Thursday and Friday, April 25-26, ABC4‘s Brittany Johnson highlighted the reality of the growing child pornography problem in Utah in a two-part special segment. Thursday, ABC4 rode along with Utah Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) special agents to see the frontline action and experience the battle first hand. Friday, ABC4 spoke with Special Agent Sete Aulai and revealed who these perpetrators are and what you can do to help fight this epidemic.

TRIGGER WARNING: The following videos contain graphic and disturbing details regarding the sexual assault of children.

Utah’s Child Pornography Problem: Part 1 (Courtesy of ABC4 Utah)

Utah’s Child Pornography Problem: Part 2 (Courtesy of ABC4 Utah)

ABC4 Article: Utah’s Child Pornography Problem

Watch on ABC4: Utah’s Child Pornography Problem

April 25, 2019

Utah has one of the highest child pornography rates in the nation. Child pornography represents one of the cruelest and most horrific forms of sexual abuse against children. It preserves the very worst moments of a child’s life for the gratification of their abusers. The videos and images of child sexual abuse are traded, shared, and viewed as both currency and commodity. Some perpetrators use it as a tool to normalize their behavior and groom their victims.

It is important to educate the public on what child pornography is, the way it is disseminated and traded, and how to protect your children from becoming victims of this kind of sexual exploitation.

Taken from Child Pornography; The Harsh Reality & Legal Definition
presented & written by the ICAC Task Force earlier this year

Tune into ABC4 Thursday, April 25th and Friday, April 26th at 10 p.m. to learn more about this tragic epidemic and how you can protect your children.

Rapid DNA: Changing the way investigators do business

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Dozens of cases – big and small – have been solved in the last several months thanks to Rapid DNA, a new technology that allows law enforcement to analyze evidence on the crime scene and deliver results within a couple of hours.

Used by law enforcement agencies across the state, special agents with the Utah Attorney General’s office have found the technology to be effective and efficient at linking DNA to crimes. In addition, the whole process is faster and cheaper than using private labs.

Courtesy of KUTV Channel 2

Rapid DNA technology is available to any law enforcement agency in the state at no cost to their local taxpayers. The testing is paid for by the Utah Attorney General’s office and supplemented by local grants.

It’s one more step in making our communities safer.

For more information about Rapid DNA, please visit https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/rapid-dna/.

To utilize Rapid DNA in your agency, please call our AG Investigations Division at 801-281-1200.

Keep safety in mind with taking an Uber or Lyft

Monday, April 22, 2019

Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes is urging fellow Utahns to be alert when ordering and taking a rideshare like Uber and Lyft. This safety reminder comes after the shocking news of a South Carolina college student who was killed after getting into a car she thought was an Uber.

“That case is simply horrifying,” Attorney General Reyes said. “But I believe the tragic death of Samantha Josephson is a reminder to all of us to be fully aware when we use Uber or Lyft.”

The Attorney General adds: “These safety guidelines are a good reminder to everyone. We all need to trust that the ride we’re getting is with a legitimate driver, not a potentially dangerous stranger.”

Law enforcement confirms that such cases are relatively rare, and there are thousands of Utahns who use ride share companies like Uber and Lyft every day without problems. But individuals can be extremely vulnerable when riding in a strangers’ vehicle, and Attorney General Reyes believes it is wise to review the Uber and Lyft safety guidelines to ensure you arrive at your destination safely.

Check for a matching license plate number: Match the license plate with the one that comes up in the app before you get in to ensure you are getting in the right vehicle.

Before you get in: Ask the driver who he or she is there to pick up. Since the app provides the driver with your name, they should be able to answer.

Use caution: Uber and Lyft rides can only be requested through the app, so never get in a car with a driver who claims to be with Uber and offers a ride.

Sit in the backseat: If you’re riding alone, this ensures you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic, and it gives you and your driver some personal space.

Wear a seat belt: The Centers for Disease Control reports that seatbelt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries related to car accidents.

Keep your valuables close: Per the ride share’s terms of service, the companies are not responsible for personal belongings left in the car by drivers or riders, and there’s no reimbursement for those items.

Let a friend know: During your ride, tap “Share status” in the app to share your driver’s name, photo, license plate, and location with a friend or family member. They can track your trip and see your ETA without downloading the apps.

Don’t share too much info: There’s no need to share your phone number or other contact.

Photo by Victor Xok

Utah opioid overdose deaths are down, thanks to Utah Naloxone

Part of the Utah Opioid Task Force, co-chaired by Attorney General Sean D. Reyes along with U.S. Senator Mike Lee and DEA District Agent-in-Charge Brian Besser, Utah Naloxone is a game-changer in the fight against opioids in the State of Utah. The Utah Attorney General’s office is proud of the work Utah Naloxone co-founder, Dr. Jennifer Plumb, has accomplished and is privileged to partner with her and her organization as we address the opioid epidemic in our great state.

For Immediate Release

UTAH NALOXONE REACHES MAJOR MILESTONE

SALT LAKE CITY – More than 3,000 people in Utah have a second chance at life thanks to the efforts of Utah Naloxone. All of these individuals were given the medication naloxone (Narcan) during an opioid overdose by a non-medical layperson around them. Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose if given in time, causing the effects of the opioid to reverse and bringing them back. Opioids include pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl.

All of these life-saving doses were administered by non-medical members of our community who obtained rescue kits from Utah Naloxone or one of its Overdose Outreach Provider partners just for this purpose. The recent reports bringing us to this milestone came from our partners at One Voice
Recovery (OVR) who work across the state of Utah to educate on substance use disorder, work to decrease stigma, as well as to reduce infectious disease transmission and overdose deaths. These direct community partners are a major contributor to saving lives across Utah.

The number of lives saved by naloxone has been attributed as a large part of why Utah is seeing a decline in the number of opioid deaths. We were one of only seven states in 2017 where the death rate is going down. And as the number of people who are surviving an opioid overdose and making it to an emergency room for care is rising – almost doubling from 2015 to 2017 (1.5/10,000 in 2015 to 2.8/10,000 in 2017). People are saving lives and giving people a chance to survive to make it to an ER which alters outcomes for our state.

There is still work to be done. Overdose is still the leading cause of injury death in the state, and Utah still is among states with a high rate of overdose deaths. If you or someone you know is taking opioids you should have Naloxone on hand in case of an overdose. Naloxone kits are available through Utah Naloxone. It is legal to possess the drug, and legal to administer it if you suspect someone is overdosing on opioids. For more information go to UtahNaloxone.org.

CONTACTS:
Jennifer Plumb, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Utah Naloxone
801-232-5410 801-696-1139
UtahNaloxone@gmail.com

Patrick Rezac
Executive Director, One Voice Recovery
801-696-1139
OneVoiceRecovery@gmail.com

Yesterday, Utah Attorney General’s office Special Agents and staff were trained on how to administer Naloxone in the field by Dr. Jennifer Plumb. Check out the photos below:

[Show thumbnails]

Pinwheels for Prevention: Raising Awareness about Child Abuse

The Utah Attorney General’s office is privileged to work in conjunction with the Utah Children’s Justice Centers and the partner organizations listed below to work towards the eradication of child abuse. The AG is committed to protecting children by prosecuting those who would seek to do them harm and provide necessary resources for healing and restoration. For more information about the work of the Utah Children’s Justice Centers, please visit www.utahcjc.org.

INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE NEWS

For Release:
April 15, 2019

Contact:
Jennifer Toomer-Cook: 801-662-6590 or 801-631-3484
Jennifer.Toomer-Cook@imail.org

More than 1,700 Pinwheels Planted by Child Abuse Prevention Advocates to Remember, Honor Children Who Died as a Result of Child Abuse

As part of the “Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention” project, 1,720 pinwheels – one for each child who died nationwide as a result of child abuse in 2017 – were planted on Primary Children’s lawn on Monday as a reminder of the gravity of child abuse and a symbol of hope for a safer tomorrow for children.

Blue and silver pinwheels were planted by Primary Children’s Hospital, Family Support Centers, Prevent Child Abuse Utah, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, and the Utah Attorney General’s Office and Children’s Justice Centers.

Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention serve as a reminder that everyone has a responsibility to help protect children in the community through education, support to children and families in need, and by reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. Last year, more than 10,600 Utah children were victims of child abuse.

If you see or suspect child abuse, call 1-855-323-3237 or local law enforcement.

Learn more about preventing child abuse at howtopreventabuse.org, onewithcourage.org, PCAUtah.org, and primarychildrens.org/safeandhealthyfamilies.

Utah AG: Best of State 2018

The Utah Attorney General’s Office found itself the proud recipient of multiple Best of State awards this year. Those in the Utah AG’s office work hard to uphold the Constitution, enforce the law, and protect the interests of Utah and its people. Our sincere thanks to all those who give their time and energy to help make our office the Best of State.

The Best of State Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. More than 100 judges review the nominations and determine the winners based on achievement in the field of endeavor, innovation or creativity in approaches, techniques, methods or processes, and contribution to the quality of life in Utah.

See below for a complete list of the AG’s Best of State 2018 awards.

Elected State Official: Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes

Military Personnel/Unit: Utah@EASE

Public Safety: Investigations Division, Utah AGO

Public Works: Utah Opioid Task Force

Public/Private Partnership: The Utah Children’s Justice Center Program

Publication: Utah AGO White Collar Crime Offender Registry

State Agency/Office: Utah Attorney General’s Office

Victim Advocacy: Attorney General Sean Reyes

Web-based Community Resource: The SafeUT App

The Utah AGO nominated DEA District-Agent-in-Charge Brian Besser for the following award due to his relentless work in combatting the opioid epidemic that has hit Utah both in the metro and rural areas. We are privileged to call him a partner, colleague, and friend.

Public Safety Officer: DEA District-Agent-in-Charge Brian Besser

AG’s SECURE Strike Force busts Salt Lake drug ring

Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front are a little safer thanks to the efforts of the Utah Attorney General’s SECURE Strike Force.

Last Friday, the SECURE Strike Force busted and charged three men for distributing drugs throughout the Valley. At the time of the arrest, the Strike Force found heroin, cocaine, and over $7,500 in cash.

For the full story, check out Pat Reavy’s article on KSL.com: 3 charged in Salt Lake drug distribution ring.

Melvin Arrazola-Raudales, Rene Leonardo Trejo-Raudales, and Richer Brayan Valle-Raudales were each charged with two counts of drug distribution (second-degree felony) and possession of a weapon (third-degree felony).

The Utah Attorney General’s Office administers and coordinates the SECURE Strike Force partnership with the Utah Department of Public Safety and county, federal and city law enforcement agencies to combat violent and other major felony crimes associated with illegal immigration and human trafficking.

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