i_opioidsubstance_2018a_2018-09-18t09:36:17z1 Hearing Summary

Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Cristen Bates, OBH, DHS, provided an overview of the State Opioid Response Grant Plan and distributed a handout (Attachment B).

Dr. Werthwein provided data on DHS programs related to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and prevention.  He described prevention programs including family support services, increased community outreach, and improving prescribing practices in hospitals.

Dr. Werthwein described DHS SUD treatment initiatives including increasing access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) and residential treatment, supporting the American Indian population, and the Lift the Label campaign to decrease stigma around SUD.  Ms. Bates and Dr. Werthwein responded to questions regarding the number of MAT providers and facilities in Colorado, funding to support SUD services for American Indians, and detoxification faclities.

Dr. Werthwein provided an update on funding and implementation of mobile health units in rural Colorado that will provide MAT treatment and telehealth services.

Dr. Werthwein described DHS initiatives related to SUD recovery, including hiring additional peer navigators and supporting peer-run recovery housing.  He told the committee that three additional jails will offer pre-release SUD services in the next year.  He noted that DHS includes education on MAT and SUD stigma when training jail-based behavioral health providers.  Dr. Werthwein responded to questions on diversion programs for persons with SUD who are involved in the criminal justice system.    

Dr. Werthwein updated the committee on the distribution of naloxone across Colorado.  He described DHS support for local community efforts to prevent SUD.  He responded to questions regarding SUD treatment in jails and the cost of naloxone.

Ms. Bates described the work of the Behavioral Health Care Facility Licensing Task Force.  The task force is working to update licensing and standards for SUD treatment and recovery facilities.  Dr. Werthwein described ongoing efforts to create a sustainable system to train the SUD workforce, create more access points to treatment, and increase coordination with other state agencies to pay for SUD care.  He responded to questions on recent federal legislation related to SUD.

Lindsey Myers, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, updated the committee on a pilot program to link the Prescription Data Monitoring Program (PDMP) to other electronic health information systems.  She noted that additional funds for the pilot program have been provided by the federal government.