.png)
The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, housed in the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy, held its 13th Annual Meeting on November 5th in the Anschutz Health Sciences Building on campus. Close to 200 professionals from across the state participated in the annual event.
This year's meeting theme was enhancing collaboration in a time of fiscal constraints. The all-day event examined some of the most pressing state-wide issues including Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and stimulant response efforts. Speakers presented data on drug overdose with an emphasis on the growing concern of deaths related to methamphetamine, and attendees participated in conversations on ways that local organizations, state agencies and the Consortium can enhance collaboration in responding to the state overdose crisis.
In the upcoming year, the Consortium will be partnering with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on the implementation of the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Grant and with the Behavioral Health Administration on the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant
Through the OD2A grant, the Consortium and The Steadman Group will continue the work with hospital systems in Colorado to expand MOUD services and utilization of peer support professionals.
Through the SOR Grant, the Consortium will coordinate and collaborate with local coalitions and community partners on overdose prevention education and work with harm reduction organizations to educate and promote drug testing resources and syringe services programs in communities.
The Consortium will also work with organizations serving American Indian/Alaskan Native communities and Black communities on enhancing overdose prevention efforts, expanding access to OUD treatment and to recovery support services.
The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention coordinates the state of Colorado's response to the crisis of misuse of prescription medications such as opioids (including fentanyl), stimulants, and sedatives. Since the Consortium took its current form in 2013, it has been a place where stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints work together and focus their efforts to advance Colorado’s overdose crisis response.
Partners include federal agencies, major state departments and agencies including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Behavioral Health Administration, and dozens of grassroots organizations and dedicated individuals.
- Videos of all meeting sessions, along with other resources, are available here.
- Event photos from the annual meeting can be viewed here.
.