Home

Drug Crisis: What is Colorado Doing to Control the Epidemic?

Pre-Conditions for the Growth of Addiction

The United States faces a profound drug crisis, particularly involving opioids and synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Factors such as overprescription, increased potency of illegal drugs, economic instability, and mental health challenges have converged, making the environment especially dangerous and unpredictable for users. These pre-conditions have set the stage for a rise in overdose deaths and have made addressing the crisis more complex.

Social and Economic Impacts

The drug crisis has had sweeping impacts on healthcare, public safety, and economic productivity. Healthcare systems are overburdened with emergency visits and hospitalizations related to overdoses, leading to higher costs and a strain on resources. Public safety concerns increase as drug-related crimes become more prevalent. The economic toll extends beyond direct healthcare costs, affecting workplace productivity and imposing heavy financial burdens on families and communities. The psychological distress on families and communities further amplifies the societal effect of the epidemic.

Federal Countermeasures

• National Fentanyl Awareness Day: Observed on April 29th, this initiative unites businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and families to educate the public about fentanyl's risks and encourage preventive actions.
• Improved Data Collection and Reporting: The CDC has enhanced tracking and reporting for drug overdose deaths, enabling faster and better-informed responses to emerging trends.
• Enhanced Treatment Access: Federal funding has increased for opioid treatment programs, expanding access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapy, and focusing on comprehensive support for those struggling with substance misuse.
• Interagency Collaboration: There is an emphasis on cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare, and community organizations to share intelligence on drug trafficking and support affected individuals and communities more holistically.
• Educational Campaigns: Ongoing public education initiatives aim to prevent drug use, reduce stigma, and promote recovery by reaching both general and high-risk audiences.

Colorado Case - The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Colorado has experienced a rise in drug-related mortality, with opioids and marijuana playing significant roles. To confront these trends, the state has implemented several coordinated programs:

• Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention: This organization coordinates state-level responses to the misuse of opioids and other prescription drugs, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors. It serves as a central hub for policy, research, education, and outreach, funded through a mix of state, federal, and private grants. The Consortium collaborates with state departments, federal agencies, grassroots organizations, and the University of Colorado.
• Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force: This task force brings together state leaders and experts to monitor drug trends, recommend responses, and guide the distribution of opioid settlement funds. Colorado has secured nearly $800 million in opioid settlements, which are being deployed through strategic, long-term plans. The state is nationally recognized for its leadership in opioid crisis response, transparency in opioid fund distribution, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Behavioral Health Crisis Response Reform: Recent legislative efforts require the Department of Public Safety and Behavioral Health Administration to identify resources, model programs, and funding gaps in the behavioral health crisis response continuum. The state is tasked with making recommendations and publicly sharing information to strengthen care systems, reimbursement, and crisis intervention capacity.
• Opioid Treatment Programs & Jail-Based Initiatives: Colorado funds programs for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in jails and supports transition services for those reentering communities after incarceration. Grants are directed toward expanding access to evidence-based treatment and ensuring continuity of care beyond release.
• Community-Based Initiatives: The state backs local prevention, early intervention, and aftercare programs, often involving schools and nonprofits to prevent substance use, promote recovery, and reduce relapse rates.

Approaches in Neighboring Regions

• New Mexico – Harm Reduction Programs: These include syringe exchange and naloxone distribution, emphasizing overdose prevention and disease transmission reduction. The focus is on public health and connecting users with treatment rather than criminalization.
• Utah – Medication-Assisted Treatment Expansion: Increased funding and provider training have broadened access to MAT, stressing evidence-based care and comprehensive support, both medical and behavioral.
• Arizona – Community Outreach and Education: Statewide campaigns aim to raise awareness, prevent opioid misuse, and reduce stigma by engaging communities and supporting early intervention.

Is It Possible to Stop the Crisis? Looking to the Future

Efforts showing the most promise include:

• Investing in comprehensive treatment programs that pair medication with therapy and long-term support.
• Implementing early intervention and outreach to prevent addiction and encourage recovery.
• Fostering interagency cooperation for a holistic response to both supply and demand challenges.
• Running public educational campaigns to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
• Embracing harm reduction and decriminalization approaches to connect users with health services instead of punishment.

Less effective are strategies relying solely on isolation, punitive measures, or those lacking aftercare and sustained support.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Confronting the drug crisis in Colorado and across the nation requires a collaborative, evidence-based approach and long-term commitment. Colorado stands out for its coordination of stakeholders through the Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, strategic use of opioid settlement funds, investment in jail-based treatment, and legislative efforts to address gaps in behavioral health crisis response. By continuing to prioritize prevention, treatment, aftercare, and interagency collaboration, Colorado and other states can make meaningful progress toward reducing the toll of addiction and fostering healthier communities.