opioids
Colorado’s program to stop patients from “doctor shopping” for opioids hasn’t been working, audit finds
Audit recommends legislation to require prescribers to use the database to track drug prescriptions — and add penalties if they don't
How fake blue pills killed people on the Western Slope and led to Colorado’s first counterfeit opioid death conviction
For the first time in Colorado, a drug dealer has been convicted of causing a person’s death from fentanyl pills disguised to look like prescription painkillers. The trial centered on one victim, but there were others.
Opinion: A bill in the Colorado legislature might have saved my son
When an opioid overdose strikes, naloxone can be the difference between life and death. Legislation could put it in more hands.
Counterfeit opioid pills made in Mexico pushed Colorado into a third, deadly wave of the opioid crisis
The Colorado Sun spoke with Deanne Reuter, special agent in charge of the Denver field office of the DEA, where agents are tracing the illicit fentanyl pipeline across the southern border.
Fentanyl overdoses are surging in Colorado as the powerful opioid is disguised as other drugs
The number of people who died of fentanyl overdoses in Denver jumped to 119 last year, up from 17 just two years before. Statewide, overdoses involving fentanyl more than doubled.
Federal prosecutors in Colorado, across the U.S. sue Walmart over role in opioid crisis
The Justice Department alleges Walmart violated federal law by selling thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances that its pharmacists "knew were invalid"
Coronavirus moved some substance treatment services online in Colorado — possibly permanently
Private and group therapy sessions are now happening over Zoom. Clinicians in rural areas are connecting with clients over the phone. Even AA took 12-step programs online. For many, it's working well.
Jonathan Sackler, co-owner of Purdue Pharma and target of Colorado lawsuit, dies
Colorado is among the states that named Jonathan Sackler in its lawsuit seeking damages for Purdue's alleged role in the state's opioid crisis.
Colorado governor vetoes bill that sought to reduce prescription opioid abuse
Gov. Jared Polis wrote in a letter that he vetoed House Bill 1085 because of the impact it would have on health insurance premiums
The hidden deaths from coronavirus: People are dying after the pandemic removed their safety nets
Sara Wittner, of Broomfield, began using narcotics again after the COVID-19 pandemic dismantled elements of her sobriety support system. She died of a suspected fentanyl overdose.
We’re dealing with a pandemic, but remember the opioid crisis? Coronavirus is likely to make it worse.
Colorado slashed millions of dollars that would have helped prevent and treat opioid addiction. And the opioid epidemic is expected to get a coronavirus aftershock.
Colorado’s coronavirus budget crunch is putting Democratic accomplishments at risk
The Joint Budget Committee will begin meeting next week to consider recommended spending cuts, but they still may not be enough to balance the budget
Six RVs to help rural Colorado’s opioid addiction are coming to a parking lot near you
Three of the vehicles have already begun visiting rural towns where there is no access to medication-assisted treatment for heroin or prescription opioids.
A decade into the opioid crisis, Colorado hospitals have changed the way they treat opioid-exposed babies. And it’s helping.
Colorado newborns are now less likely to get methadone and more likely to room with their moms
Colorado could soon get a lot of money from opioid settlements. But where should those dollars go?
In a new Colorado Health Institute survey, experts weighed between spending money on treatment, prevention and other priorities
Judge: Purdue workers should get bonuses, but maybe not CEO being sued by Colorado and other states
Colorado and Massachusetts allege that Purdue's CEO blamed the dangers of opioids on patients rather than the drugs
Bankruptcy judge considers $1.3 million bonus for Purdue Pharma CEO being sued by Colorado
Craig Landau, a Purdue employee since 1999 who rose to the top job in 2017, is named as a defendant in lawsuits filed by Colorado, Massachusetts, five local governments and more than 100 hospitals
A new Colorado law makes possessing 13,000 fatal fentanyl doses a misdemeanor. Prosecutors are worried.
Colorado lawmakers this year passed a bill to reduce incarceration by making possession of 4 grams or less of most drugs a misdemeanor instead of a felony
Why the DEA is suing Colorado’s pharmacy board as part of an opioid investigation
State officials say they can’t release the data the DEA wants without violating patients’ privacy