This first episode introduces the Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative, and the state of the opioid crisis in Utah. It features guest Heather Bush from Utah Department of Health, a Syringe Exchange Program Coordinator and Dr. Erin Fanning Madden, assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology and biostatistics at University of New Mexico Health Science Center.   We review information about how the crisis began, and set the stage for debunking a myth in each of our episodes moving forward.

The Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative, housed in the Office of Health Equity and Community Engagement, is launching a new podcast. The 12 episode “Debunked” podcast premiers February 12, 2020 and will address opioid use myths. Produced by Utah Public Radio, details about Debunked will be released on Access Utah and during UPR’s airing of NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Hosted by Utah State student Timothy Light and Health & Wellness Utah Extension Specialist Dr. Sandra