New state behavioral health laws
"House Bill 1193" “Behavioral Health Supports For High-risk Families” provides access to intensive substance use treatment to women up to one year after giving birth, and creates pilot child care programs for women in treatment." "Sponsors: Reps. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, and Sen. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo" "Signed: May 23" Read full article #mentalhealth #behavioralhealth #addiction #opioids
Feds issue scathing response to Denver's supervised injection ordinance
"Kilmer then said supervised injection sites can reduce the risk of fatal overdose, disease transmission and issues associated with unhygienic drug use practices but said it’s unclear “about the size of the population-level effects of SCSs.” "To implement the supervised use site pilot program in Denver, a bill will have to pass through the Colorado State Legislature in the 2019 session." "State Representative Leslie Herod (D-Denver) said she will be one of the sponsors for a
Feds question Denver's drug plan
"Those injecting methamphetamine, cocaine or other drugs for which there is no counteragent are also welcome to use the facility. The Denver facility likewise would welcome users of any drug, not just opioids." "The agencies said their statement should not be "read as casting aspersions on the laudable motives of those seeking to improve our communities and free Coloradans from the scourge of drug addiction." "That is, however, how it was received by those working to set up t
A Denver law to OK opioid use sites is in the works. Here’s what has to happen to legalize the “brid
A law being proposed by Councilman Albus Brooks would legalize supervised injection centers, where people addicted to opioids could use the drugs en route to recovery — or at least in a safer environment that deters fatal overdoses and the spread of chronic diseases like hepatitis C and HIV. It’s a policy created in response to an epidemic of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs that killed 201 people in Denver in 2017 and 64,000 across the country in 2016. A big
Councilman wants Denver to have the nation’s first supervised drug use site — if Colorado will allow
“I definitely think there’s an option for this to pass in the state legislature,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, a backer of the earlier measure. “I think that there’s an appetite there from both Democrats and Republicans, and I look forward to bringing the measure forward.” "There are some 11,500 people who are known to inject narcotics in Denver and surrounding counties, according to Raville. The city reported 201 overdose deaths in 2017, compared to 174 in 2016 and 129 in 2015."
LESLIE HEROD: LOOKING FORWARD
"Herod is always looking for new ways to help others find guidance and support as they attempt to make a difference in their communities. Herod is the first openly queer, black person to serve in the Colorado General Assembly, receiving the highest number of votes of any state house candidate running a contested race in 2016. She is now the incumbent for District 8 seeking re-election. OUT FRONT sat down with her to discuss what re-election might look like, and how she feels
