Intermountain St. Mary’s Regional Hospital Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day with Flag Display
Intermountain St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, in partnership with Mesa County Opioid Response Group (MCORG), built a memorial flag display at Lincoln Park to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday, August 28.
The awareness day is a global recognition aimed at raising awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises and reducing the stigma of a drug-related death.
Community members are encouraged to visit the 1,865 flags displayed at Lincoln Park in remembrance of the Colorado lives lost to drug overdose in 2023. Among the purple flags, 43 white flags will be specifically dedicated to those who have died in Mesa County (a 26% increase from 2022).
Representatives from various community organizations which are part of MCORG will be onsite to provide information and resources to help individuals and families who might be affected by drug dependence.
While nationally the number of overdose deaths decreased by 3% in 2023 from 111,1029 to 107,543 – Colorado overdose deaths increased by 5% in 2023, with 72% of all overdoses being influenced by an opioid (59% were influenced by illegally manufactured fentanyl).
“Overdose numbers continue to fluctuate from year to year and remain one of the leading causes of death in our country, particularly for our younger generations. Locally, fentanyl continues to be a concern, particularly given how quickly it can cause an overdose or accidental poisoning. We need to continue to protect against this through education and naloxone or Narcan distribution,” said Ryan Jackman, MD, medical director of Intermountain St. Mary’s Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic.
“Methamphetamine continues to be the primary illicit substance being used, and the major cause of overdose in our community, contributing to 62% of Mesa County’s overdose deaths in 2023. We need to continue to discuss how we will address this as a community,” he added.
Since its opening in 2019, Intermountain St. Mary’s Integrated Addiction Medicine has been working to increase treatment for substance use disorders. The clinic provides individuals with outpatient treatment options for substance use disorders, including medication for substance use disorders, naloxone, management of co-occurring mental health conditions, along with individual and group therapy.
The Intermountain St. Mary’s Integrated Addiction Medicine clinic partners with the Colorado Health Network and Colorado Health Institute to improve the community’s access to opioid use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery.
The clinic also works closely with regional partners across the Western Slope including MCORG, the Women’s Recovery Center, the Mesa County Department of Human Services, and the divisions of probation and parole to ensure individuals receive coordinated care and services.
For those seeking help with substance use, Intermountain St. Mary’s Integrated Addiction Medicine can be reached at 970-298-3801, or by visiting the Intermountain St. Mary's Regional Hospital Integrated Addiction Medicine webpage at intermountainhealth.org.
People can also call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
While the awareness day is recognized annually on August 31, it falls on a Saturday this year and will be commemorated on August 28, with multiple events organized by community partners.
News media are invited to attend any of the events below commemorating this day.
Media Interview Opportunity:
7-10 a.m, MT, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024
Lincoln Park, Grand Junction
Ryan Jackman, MD, and a patient in recovery will be available to discuss the risks of overdose, the importance of treatment, and the challenges and benefits of recovery.
Media Note: Please meet on the west side of Lincoln Park in the grassy field along 12th Street.
CMU Outreach Table, Narcan Training, & Resource Fair
Delta Field (next to the Plaza)
11 am – 2 pm, MT
Time of Remembrance/Vigil
Lincoln Park
7-8 pm, MT
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