Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced Jan. 18 the Colorado Department of Law awarded a $3.94 million grant to the Colorado Department of Corrections to deliver medications for opioid use disorder treatment. 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, according to the announcement.
“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 in the announcement. “This is a significant opportunity for our state to reduce recidivism, aid reintegration into society for those released from prison, and improve public safety.”
The program provides three months of pre-release medication treatment and a three-week supply upon release, according to the announcement.
“Providing care coordination for patients with opioid use disorder encourages connectedness and continuity of care from incarceration through release. This grant will aid us in meeting the needs we see within our incarcerated population and will help provide more comprehensive and effective interventions to individuals,” explained Executive Director for CDOC Andre Stancil in the announcement.
The AG’s Office noted funding for the grant stems from lawsuits against drug manufacturers and distributors, resulting in $750 million in anticipated settlement funds to date. Targeting the 10% of opioid settlement funds allocated to the state as outlined in a joint opioid framework agreement between the state and local governments, all funds must be used to abate the opioid crisis. According to the announcement, the Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Committee established by the Colorado Legislature consulted on the proposal.