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i_opioidsubstance_2017a_2017-07-10t09:09:20z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 07/10/2017

Location: RM 271

Final

Scope of the Problem: Colorado



OPIOID AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS


Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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10:43 AM -- Scope of the Problem: Colorado



Tamara Keeney and Teresa Manocchio, Colorado Health Institute, presented to the committee and distributed handouts (Attachments C and D). Ms. Keeney provided data on the increase of overdose death rates in Colorado from 2002 to 2014, and noted that opioid overdose deaths are the main driver in the overall increase in overdose deaths. Ms. Keeney described demographics on overdose deaths in Colorado. Ms. Keeney described data on self-reported drug misuse and statistics related to emergency department visits for drug-related health issues.



17Opioid0710AttachC.pdf17Opioid0710AttachC.pdf 17Opioid0710AttachD.pdf17Opioid0710AttachD.pdf



10:55 AM



Ms. Manocchio provided statistics related to treatment admissions by drug in Colorado. She noted that that there is a shortage of residential treatment services in Colorado, especially in rural areas. Ms. Manocchio described some barriers to medication-assisted treatment in Colorado, including stigma, lack of insurance, insufficient staff knowledge, and lack of counseling and other secondary staff. She noted that Colorado counties with no medication-assisted treatment locations may also have high overdose deaths. She concluded by discussing the cost effectiveness of treatment for substance use disorders.





11:03 AM



Ms. Manocchio and Ms. Keeney responded to questions regarding youth alcohol and marijuana use, non-opioid overdose deaths, and lack of substance use treatment resources.





11:16 AM



Lindsey Myers, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), presented to the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment E). Ms. Myers provided demographic statistics related to drug overdose deaths and opioid-related hospitalizations.



17Opioid0710AttachE.pdf17Opioid0710AttachE.pdf



11:23 AM



Ms. Myers described the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to the committee. She explained that the PDMP is managed by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to keep track of certain drugs that have been prescribed, and the program has been enhanced by recent legislation. Ms. Myers provided data on the number and type of prescriptions issued annually in Colorado. She also provided information on patient demographics and prescription by payment type. Ms. Myers summarized a report on heroin use in Colorado, including overdose deaths, hospitalization and emergency department visits, naloxone administrations, and neonatal abstinence syndrome.





11:34 AM



Ms. Myers gave an overview on Colorado law enforcement data related to heroin, including seizures of heroin, and the price and purity of heroin. She discussed the results of a survey for heroin and opioid users in treatment. Ms. Myers provided additional data on substance use in Colorado to the committee, including binge drinking. Ms. Myers responded to a question from the committee regarding hepatitis and other infectious diseases.





11:46 AM



Cristen Bates and Rebecca Helfand, Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS), presented to the committee and provided a handout (Attachment F). Ms. Helfand provided data on state treatment admissions for opioids and all substances abuse, and explained the demographics of Coloradans in treatment. She noted that some patients also use secondary or tertiary substances when seeking treatment for opioid use.




17Opioid0710AttachF.pdf17Opioid0710AttachF.pdf



11:52 AM



Ms. Bates discussed the number of DHS facilities in Colorado that provide opioid use disorder treatment. She described how physicians are licensed to provide medication-assisted treatment, and noted the difficulties that primary care providers have offering this treatment.





12:01 PM



The committee recessed.








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