FOR COPO PRINT!!! Colorado opioid fight stretches from Denver to D.C.
"Senate Bill 227, a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at getting drug-overdose medication into schools, expanding the state’s drug take-back program and getting automated external defibrillator devices into more buildings. The bill was sponsored by Pettersen; Kennedy; Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver; and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver." Read full article #LeslieHerod #GovernorPolis #opioidcrisis #addiction #Caring4Denver #criminaljusticereform
Capitol review: Lawmakers chipped away at opioid epidemic with 6 bills
"State lawmakers made strides toward curbing the opioid epidemic in Colorado, which claims at least one victim every day. In the just-ended session, they passed policies to expand treatment in rural Colorado, to stock an overdose-reversal medication in public places, and to require some jails and prisons to offer withdrawal medication to certain inmates." "Those efforts come as opioid-related deaths held steady in 2018, with heroin and fentanyl overdoses inching up, according
New legislation aims to tackle opioid crisis in Colorado
"Senate Bill 227" “Harm Reduction Substance Use Disorders” would explicitly authorize schools to carry naloxone, a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. It would also allow hospitals to serve as syringe exchange sites, expand the household medication take-back program, and create mobile response teams to provide medication-assisted substance use treatment in jails." "The bill was sponsored by Pettersen and Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. In the House, it was sponsored by Ken
Bill would make possessing drugs in Colorado a misdemeanor instead of a felony
"On Tuesday, lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 1263, which would make it a misdemeanor and no longer a felony to possess illegal drugs." "The bill does not address distribution of drugs, which means it will still be a felony to sell illegal products." “They could still get up to 120 days -- 180 days in some instances -- so they could still go to jail, hard time. The question is: Do we put them in DOC where there are no resources for them, or do we allow them the opportu
Lawmakers Consider Bill To Lower Penalties For Drug Possession
"DENVER (CBS4) — Lawmakers will consider a bill Tuesday that would lower the penalty for possession of illegal drugs for personal use. Under existing law, possession of a controlled substance listed in schedule I or II is a felony. If HB19-1263 passes, it would reduce simple drug possession crimes in Colorado to a misdemeanor and remove the felony charge for possessing more than 12 ounces of marijuana." "Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, marijuana, peyote, methaqualone, a
Denver trying again for possible 1st US drug injection site
"DENVER -- Despite federal opposition, Denver is trying again to become what could be the first U.S. city to open a supervised drug injection site, a strategy that some liberal cities have tried repeatedly to launch to reduce overdose deaths fueled by a nationwide opioid epidemic. The Denver City Council voted 12-1 on Monday to approve a measure that would allow one site to open for at least two years under a pilot program. But there are still several hurdles to clear. The pr
What’s next after Denver passes tax increase for mental health funding
"DENVER -- Election night was more than just about candidates and political parties. It was also about issues." "In Denver, voters approved a .25 percent tax increase to generate $45 million for mental health funding annually." "So what happens next?" "This will be the largest mental health funding stream that Denver has ever seen," State Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) said. Herod helped run the campaign to get it passed." "Herod says first up will be the creation of a non prof
Safe injection sites being reconsidered to help battle opioid epidemic
"Rob Valuck, a drug addiction expert, said there are similar programs in more than 60 cities around the world with evidence that programs like this help reduce spreading diseases. He also said it could improve access to treatment." “It's not that we are sanctioning something that isn’t there,” Valuck said. “It’s already there.” “We simply don't have enough treatment facilities and programs that it's easy to walk in and get treatment,” he added. “In the interim, what do we do?
Denver City Council considers creating legal drug injection site
"The Denver City Council is considering a pilot program to allow a legal drug injection site in the city." "Supporters of the plan say 1,000 people died of overdoses in Colorado last year. It's estimated emergency services respond to almost three overdose cases each day." "A supervised site, supporters say, would save lives and money when it comes to hospital stays and treatment." "We know people are publicly injecting outside in parks, in alleys," supporter Lisa Raville said
Denver is closer to being among the first U.S. cities to set up a supervised drug use site
"So the question is where people go after using safely to get long-term help. The answer, for some, will be nowhere. They may repeat the cycle of using to avoid withdrawal, but better in the presence of people who can save their lives than in a bathroom somewhere, Raville said." "A measure known as “Caring for Denver” passed Tuesday to fund mental health. That gives Brooks confidence despite the lack of services." “While that’s an issue, there’s a lot of hope that I’m being g
