Denver, Colorado – Fatal drug overdoses in Colorado have been on the rise for the past decade, but during the first two years of the pandemic, the number of Coloradans killed by fentanyl experienced a significant spike. This prompted state leaders, law enforcement officials, public health managers, and ordinary citizens to advocate for decisive action.
In 2022, in an effort to combat the loss of life, lawmakers took the controversial step of criminalizing the possession of even small amounts of fentanyl, the synthetic opioid responsible for the majority of fatal overdoses in the state. Schools and colleges also began equipping themselves with naloxone, an overdose-reversal medication, while families and friends of fentanyl victims pushed for increased treatment resources. Nonprofit organizations launched educational campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit medications, emphasizing the lethal potential of a single pill.
Concurrently, a silent crisis was unfolding in Colorado as deaths from alcohol surged by over 60% between 2018 and 2021, before slightly decreasing in 2022. Despite the drop in fatal overdoses that same year, alcohol-related deaths remain 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels, raising concerns about the long-term consequences of increased drinking since 2020.
The state of Colorado grapples with one of the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths in the country, yet its response to alcohol abuse pales in comparison to its reaction to the fentanyl epidemic. While legislators have taken decisive measures to address the fentanyl crisis, proposals to curb alcohol consumption have been lacking. Governor Jared Polis views drinking as a matter of personal responsibility, and the state has not pursued initiatives to discourage excessive alcohol consumption.
A four-part series by The Denver Post examines why Colorado consistently ranks among the worst states for alcohol-related deaths, highlighting the lack of preventative measures such as alcohol taxes or restrictions on accessibility. While treatment options exist, many families remain unaware of how to access them, exacerbating the issue.
Representative Marc Snyder, chair of the House committee overseeing alcohol regulation, expressed shock at the comparability of alcohol-related deaths to drug overdoses in Colorado, underscoring the need for further action to address the escalating crisis.
Stay tuned for the next installment in the series, delving into the factors contributing to Colorado’s high alcohol-related death rates and exploring potential solutions to mitigate this growing public health concern.