Director's Note: Reaching Incarcerated Individuals at Greatest Risk for Overdose
Dear partners,

The evidence supporting treatment for opioid use disorder for people who are incarcerated is strong. Individuals leaving jail or prison are some of the most highly at risk for overdose. Medications for opioid use disorder, like methadone and buprenorphine in criminal justice settings can be one of the most impactful means to decrease overdose deaths statewide. In Rhode Island, this intervention led to a 12% total reduction in overdose deaths in the entire state and 61% reduction in post-release overdoses. Furthermore, as we hear on the frontlines, medications for opioid use disorder in carceral settings lead to reduced violence, increased employment and reduced recidivism.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is leading the effort to address the opioid crisis from an evidence-based approach. We are pleased to announce:

  • Launch of a $3.94 million agreement to provide medications for opioid use disorder in the Department of Corrections for eligible inmates and care continuity upon release
  • Launch of Colorado County Jail Recognition for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and Continuity of Care - nominations now open! We encourage nominations from individuals from the public (see below for more information)

Very soon, we will be launching the Opioid Impact Strategic Grant with $8 million from the state share. There will be an opportunity to submit a Letter of Intent to Apply. Please share this newsletter with individuals or organizations that may be interested in receiving state grant announcements.
An additional highlight is that we have recently updated the Colorado Opioid Settlement Dashboard with the planned expenditures for $59.16 million by the 19 Regional Opioid Abatement Councils.

You can access the dashboard's Regional Funds' page here: www.coag.gov/opioids/dashboard/regions.

You can now see how Regions across the state are allocating their funds and sort by each Region or by category and sub-category. Scroll down to the bottom of the Region tab of our dashboard to find the interactive table. Stay tuned for more dashboard updates in the coming weeks!
We are constantly seeking improvement in this work to maximize use of opioid settlement funds.

Regions, local governments, the State and Infrastructure Share recipients are all currently in the process of submitting Expenditure Reporting in January/February 2024. If you are a region, local government or grantee, please reach out with any questions on reporting. Feel free to call, email or attend one of the several Expenditure Reporting webinars.

Thank you for your hard work already in 2024!
Jamie Feld
Director of Opioid Response
Colorado Attorney General’s Office
Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
for Incarcerated Individuals
$3.94 Million Grant Awarded to the Colorado Department of Corrections

Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that the Colorado Department of Law has awarded $3.94 million in funding to the Colorado Department of Corrections to deliver medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in Colorado state prisons.

This two-year agreement will support OUD medication delivery, behavioral health counseling, and care coordination for inmates in state correctional facilities through their release from prison.

“Two-thirds of today’s incarcerated population, on a nationwide basis, struggles with a substance use disorder, and that percentage is even higher in certain parts of Colorado. For those leaving prison without any treatment, they are at least 40 times more likely than a member of the general population to die from an overdose within two weeks of leaving prison,” said Weiser. “This is a significant opportunity for our state to reduce recidivism, aid reintegration into society for those released from prison, and improve public safety.”

Please click here to see the full press release to learn more about the award and funded initiatives.
 Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Jail and Connections to the Community Recognition -
Award Nominations
Colorado County Jail Recognition Awards

Additionally, Attorney General Weiser announced the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder and Connections to the Community Recognition awards for Colorado County Jails.

Nominations are now open for a one-time $50,000 grant award to support jails to continue work.

Eligible nominees are exclusively limited to Colorado county jails. Nominators can include anyone from the public. The DOL encourages nominations from peer jail staff, sheriffs, individuals in the community, and individuals who have been incarcerated.

These awards are intended to recognize county jails within Colorado that have shown excellence or demonstrated progress in providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and connections to the community upon release.
"Connect Effect" Prevention Campaign
Interactive Learning Call with Rise Above Colorado
You're invited you to a virtual learning call about the Connect Effect campaign hosted by Rise Above Colorado on Wednesday, February 7th from 12:00-1:00pm.

Rise Above is hosting an interactive learning call to share more details about the
  • goals of the campaign,
  • how local communities can further leverage it within their communities,
  • and how they can support you in getting important prevention information and messaging out to youth and caregivers across Colorado.
The Connect Effect is a campaign to help youth, parents and communities address the increasing danger of youth pill misuse through emphasizing the power of connection to protect teens.

The call will highlight ways that Rise Above Colorado can complement your existing prevention efforts, including an overview of several recently updated (and FREE) educational resources: How to Be a Good Friend and Not Prescribed as well as the opportunity to engage youth in guided, interactive art workshops.

Additionally, there will be a facilitated discussion to hear what other resources might be needed in communities across the state to support other prevention efforts like teen vaping and tobacco use.
Don't forget, you can reach the entire Opioid Response Unit team at Opioids@coag.gov or at (720)-508-6196!