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 […]

Last summer, the Interim Study Committee on Opioids and Other Substance Use Disorders drafted five bills, all of which have been introduced. Great news! All five of these bills (HB1085 Prevention, HB1065 Harm Reduction, HB1017 Criminal Justice, SB007 Treatment, and SB028 Recovery) have passed out of their first committees for a good start to a […]

State Opioid Response Grants Expanded to Include Methamphetamine and Cocaine Colorado is the recipient of a State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant and the goals of the grant include: Connect at least 900 people to Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) through mobile MAT units. Train 400 individuals in the CRAFT & Celebrating Families model. Hire 18 more […]

In addition to the impact on the lives of individuals and families that the opioid crisis imposes, there is significant economic impact. This past October, the Society of Actuaries Mortality and Longevity Strategic Research Committee, in conjunction Millman, published a report titled “Economic Impact of Non-Medical Use in the United States”. According to the report, […]

The 2020 Legislative Session began on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and a number of bills addressing opioid and substance use are on the docket. Because these bill are relevant to the work of Consortium members and others in the prevention and treatment fields, the Consortium will offer monthly updates on the progress of the bills. Remember, […]