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Dear Friend,
Two weeks ago, we hosted our third annual Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference. Colorado’s dedication to addressing the opioid crisis is making a difference—but there is so much more work to do.
An important session featured a conversation about the impact of this crisis on families, including Trisha Rounds, who lost her son Keith to an opioid overdose after he completed his incarceration and obtained fentanyl from an online platform. Keith’s tragic story highlights the urgent need for accessible treatment, both during incarceration and post-release, and the dangers of fentanyl access through online platforms. To honor Keith’s memory, we must tackle these dire issues head on. I left the conference inspired to recommit to the crucial work ahead.
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In Colorado jails, we are making real progress in medication-assisted treatment availability, but more must be done to ensure that those in the justice system have access to life-saving treatment. At the conference, we awarded grants to five jails that are leading the way in providing effective treatment, supportive counseling, and seamless transitions to community support systems. Additionally, we offered funds to support the state Department of Corrections to ensure all inmates have access to medication addiction treatment, too.
The ease of buying fentanyl from online platforms contributes to its widespread and deadly availability among young people. A report issued by our office starkly illustrates that ordering fentanyl from many platforms is as easy as ordering a pizza. Alarmingly, as one article [[link removed]] explained, “between 2019 and 2021, the number of teen deaths from fentanyl tripled—and the driver of that plague, . . was fake pills sold online.” We must stop this scourge by enacting legislation that addresses this threat.
During the conference, we honored the memories of those like Keith who we lost to opioid overdoses and learned from those living in recovery. You can read more about the conference and my opening remarks here [[link removed]] .
Thank you for joining me in doing this vital work.
Phil
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Paid for by Phil Weiser for Colorado - Anna Noschese, Registered Agent.
Phil Weiser for Colorado
PO Box 13644
Denver, CO 80201
United States
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