Colorado has been suffering through its own type of pandemic: an opioid addiction crisis. Their plan to help communities tackle this issue seems to be reaching its end goal. On Monday, Oct. 18, Arvada and Commerce City became “the first metro area cities to sign on to a statewide settlement agreement designed to hold to account pain pill companies.”
Other cities are projected to follow suit in the next upcoming months. It is urgent that all cities agree upon the settlement. Colorado is in dire need of this money and these counties must bless the settlement in order to receive said money to help tackle the opioid crisis.
Colorado is due to receive a $400 million statewide settlement. This means getting most counties and municipalities in the state to bless the settlement in the coming weeks or else the state will not receive that full amount.
The settlement money comes from a lawsuit against drug companies for their role in Colorado’s opioid crisis. Companies involved in the case that made and distributed opioids included “McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and Johnson & Johnson — as well as a separate settlement involving Purdue Pharma.”
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and many other officials finally announced their plans for the distribution of the money. The settlement will be put to good use in order to fund initiatives to help eradicate the opioid problem in Colorado through educational programs and building treatment facilities.
The plan also consists of dividing Colorado into 19 regions. Governing officials would oversee each region in order to monitor the funds.
While the plan seems to be heading in the right direction, officials should also consider investing the money into handling the root of the problem. Mental health is at the heart of drug abuse. The pandemic has not helped slow this down.
Medical professionals predict that the crisis will worsen due to “stress, isolation and financial devastation of the coronavirus.” Understanding how our pandemic is impacting the mental health aspect of individuals is key to helping tackle the opioid crisis. Investing in mental health initiatives needs to be incorporated in the plan for settlement fund distribution.
Colorado has the power to help reduce the opioid crisis through settlement funding. Using those funds for drug facilities, educational programs and mental health initiatives are the most effective uses to help end drug abuse.
If you or someone you know are suffering from addiction, text “CONNECT” to the addiction hotline at 55753. In need of mental health resources? Call the Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8225.
