By Jamie Feld, External Relations Strategist Legislators are poised to tackle a number of important issues related to the opioid crisis and substance use prevention and treatment as they prepare for the 2021 session. The Colorado State General Assembly convened on Wednesday, Jan. 13, to start the 2021 legislative session, albeit temporarily. Over a few […]

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is launching a new sharps/needle take-back program and is looking for partners to host collection kiosks. The program is modeled on the successful Take Meds Back program, which allows Coloradans to dispose of their medications safely and securely. The program’s goal is to provide free and convenient […]

by José Antonio Esquibel, Director, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Published Nov. 20, 2019 There is good news. Settlement agreements were recently reached with several opioid distributors and two manufacturers, signaling important steps forward in resolving several significant lawsuits and the prospect of settlement funds being distributed to local and state governments. Prescription […]

After a turbulent legislative session, with the legislature temporarily closed due to COVID-19 and the state facing a budget shortfall of $3.4 billion, many important wins are to be celebrated. Four of the five opioid-related bills proposed by the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Interim Study Committee (HB20-1065, HB20-1017, SB20-007, SB20-028) passed the state […]

Colorado budget cuts likely to affect behavioral health According to the most recent revenue projections, Colorado faces an up to $3.4 billion budget shortfall for fiscal year 2020-21, and the Legislature and Gov. Jared Polis are in the process of making cuts that will affect all areas of state government, including programs for substance use […]

Provider Ed Virtual Lunch and Learn Series Selected presentations have been recorded. Follow the link to watch the videos. Date Topic Speaker(s) Wed. May 6th Non-pharmacologic pain management Jonathan Clapp, MD Wed. May 13th Behavioral Aspects of Pain Brent Van Dorsten, PhD Wed. May 27th Pain Procedures Joseph Fillmore, MD, MBA Wed. June 3rd Acupuncture […]

As we know, substance use does not end in the midst of a crisis. If anything, the conditions are in place to amplify potential harm. From Denver residents lining up for alcohol at the thought of possible closures to the social isolation of stay-at-home orders, we explore some of the implications of COVID19 on those […]

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention is compiling a list of links to resources that could help you or your organization manage your response to the COVID-19 coronavirus. While these links go to authoritative sources, be sure to check and see if there is any guidance from the support group, nonprofit, public health […]