Intermountain Press Release

Provo, Utah—Intermountain Healthcare recently made public a free comprehensive resource for Utah County families battling drug abuse, with information regarding drug treatment options, support groups, and other contacts and resources. The Guide came as a result of Intermountain's South Community Outreach Council – a volunteer group of community members in South Utah County who address local healthcare issues and promote healthy initiatives – who found families in Utah County battling drug abuse did not know where to turn for help. One member of the council knew this from first-hand experience.

"When my wife and I first realized that our child had a problem with drugs, we did not know where to turn, and spent many frustrating hours looking for information that would help us with this problem," says Kevin Scholz, council member, business owner in Provo, and founder of YouthNet, an anti-drug volunteer organization for Springville and Mapleton youth. "Intermountain's leadership has been invaluable in providing this and other resources to aid all of those who are battling with substance abuse."

In 2007, Utah led the nation in prescription drug abuse with deaths due to abuse exceeding even auto accident-related deaths in the state.

"Many people don't realize how big of a problem this is right in their own town," says Kye Miner, Community Health Partnerships Manager for Intermountain Healthcare in Utah County. "We are grateful to the community for addressing this issue and hope by getting the word out that there is help right here in Utah County, we can alleviate some of the pain families are feeling and help with the healing process."

Intermountain also recently helped organize the "Clean Out the Cabinet" campaign with the Utah County Health Department and YouthNet. This informational campaign encourages families to dispose of or lock up their prescription drugs.

To find out more about the Drug Resource guide and other programs, call 357-7612.

• Utah County Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment Guide