Methamphetamine Abuse in Colorado
This state has been selected for the Rural Law Enforcement Methamphetamine Initiative.
Learn more about the initiative or view other selected states.
DEA Assessment:
- Most of the methamphetamine available in Colorado originates in Mexico or comes from large-scale laboratories in California.
- Clandestine laboratories are problematic to law enforcement in Colorado, due more to the public safety and environmental issues they present than the volume of methamphetamine they produce.1
Methamphetamine Use among State Population (2002-2005):
9.1% of persons aged 12 or older reported using meth one or more times during their life.2
2.7% of young adults aged 18-25 reported past year methamphetamine use.
1.1% of persons aged 12 or older reported past year methamphetamine use.3
Methamphetamine Use among High School Students (2005):
4% of students reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life.4
Drug Offenses:
26% of 2005 Federal Drug Cases in Colorado involved methamphetamine.5
Lab Incidents:
There were 85 lab incidents in 2006.6
Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse:
6,054 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2005;
8% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.7
State Laws Pertaining to Precursor Chemicals:
Purchases of EPH, PSE and PPA products are limited to 3.6 grams or a combination of two or more methamphetamine precursor drugs per person within a 24 hour period; EPH, PSE and PPA products must be stored or displayed in an area of the store where the public is not allowed access; Knowingly selling in violation of sales limits or knowingly selling inappropriately packaged products is a class 2 misdemeanor. 8
Colorado Meth Project TV ads and information from community-based campaign.
State of Colorado Methamphetamine Task Force Third Annual Report, includes:
Legislative Task Force Proposals; Overview of the Task Force Work in 2008; Accomplishments and Progress on 2008 Priorities; Draft Action Plan to promote Public Safety, Partnerships and Safety for Populations Critically Affected by Methamphetamine; Data; and Priorities for 2009.
First and Second Reports
Colorado Meth Project TV ads and information from community-based campaign.
Brief Description of information to be posted: Faith-based website with education on methamphetamine addiction, meth labs and resources in select Colorado counties. http://www.methbgone.com/
State ATR Resources
Contact
RSS 1-888-227-3616
ATR Highlights
Program at a Glance
| 3-Year Total Grant Amount: | $13,678,560 |
| Target Population: | Adolescents and young adults 12-25 with substance use issues. Methamphetamine and ecstasyusing adults of any age. |
| Target Areas: | Metro Denver, metro Colorado Springs, I-70 Corridor and Greeley/ Fort Collins/Loveland area. |
SAIS: March 31, 2009
SAIS: March 31, 2009
Program Contacts
| Project Name: | Colorado ATR |
| Project Director: | Bert Singelton (303)655-7860 |
| Government Project Officer: | Kim Thomas (240)276-2907 |
| Single State Authority: | Janet Wood (303)866-7486 |
| Governor: | Bill Rittler (303)866-2471 |
"Colorado ATR funding allows many children to recieve treatment, and turn high risk youth in the right direction..."
Colorado Exceeds Client Target,
Delivers Balanced Service Array
Chart depicts percent of clients that received each service. SAIS: March 31, 2009
Colorado's ATR program targets users of methamphetamine and ecstasy of any age and adolescents and young adults under 25 with any substance use issues. The project encompasses both rural and urban areas in metro Denver and metro Colorado Springs, the I-70 Corridor, and the Greeley/Fort Collins/Loveland area.
The program provided a balanced portfolio of services with a strong emphasis (about 60%) on treatment services. SAIS distribution data indicate that clinical treatment (49.7%) represents nearly half of all client interactions and medical services accounting for an additional 11.6%. Clients seeking recovery support services were most likely to utilize case management (35.3%) with just 3.4% choosing to participate in peer-to-peer support.
The ATR project again exceeded its target number of clients served, continuing a trend that has demonstrated gains across previous quarters. SAIS data show that the program served 3,308 clients, exceeding the target goal of 2,426 by nearly 900 clients, an increase of more than 35%.
The program is maintaining positive outcome statistics in terms of abstinence after intake. Based on the comparison between the intake and discharge data, the rate of abstinence from use increased 94.2% for Colorado ATR clients.
COLORADO CONTINUES TO ENHANCE PROJECT
During the quarter, CO ATR created a web portal feature to their Connect Care's information system. This addition facilitates online communication between assessors, providers and care coordinators. It also allows users to submit GPRA, clinical assessments, and RSS surveys online. This enhancement eliminates previous barriers to efficiency that included incomplete and illegible hardcopy forms and delays in assessments reaching treatment providers.
Also during the quarter, CO ATR conducted three recruitment forums aimed at faith-based organizations. This effort is showing positive results towards meeting CO ATR's goal of increasing their faith-based and RSS provider base within the program. Of the 85 faithbased organizations contacted, 9 have enrolled to become recovery support service (RSS) providers and 19 are in varied stages of the application and approval process.
Additionally, CO ATR advanced the date of ATR's expansion to the western slope. This decision was made in an effort to increase meth client enrollment. This effort resulted in a significant increase in meth-related client referrals. CO ATR is better positioned to reach its meth client targets for Year 2 of the grant as well as exceed overall client enrollment.
CO ATR also developed new strategies to meet the GPRA follow up target. These new strategies were necessary as a majority of clients are no longer in treatment at the 6 month follow up. Strategies include having treatment providers complete the 6 month follow up during the client's appointment, the employment of newly designed locator forms that include the client's contact information as well as two other people.
Faith and Community based Provider Updates
SAIS: March 31, 2009
CO ATR has been working to enroll additional faith based organizations and grassroots community programs. With SAMHSA-sponsored technical assistance, Colorado has conducted successful community enrollment forums that will increase its network. Currently just 7.1% of providers that had redeemed vouchers were faith-based in nature. The ATR staff is committed to expand provider capacity through the inclusion of community and faith-based organizations in future quarters. The provider forums already have lead to a wider selection of faith based organizations for clients, promoted recovery, and helped to build a better community.
Success Story:
Colorado ATR Helps Luke Connect with His Family
CO ATR funding allows many children to receive treatment, and turn high risk youth in the right direction. 16 year old Luke was one such youth.
Luke had a history of gang involvement and a family history of drug dependence and physical abuse. He began using drugs at 13 years old to escape family issues and numb his feelings. He started doing poorly in school and was expelled from his school district due to his drug dependency. His use increased and he ran away from home. After eight months of homelessness, he was picked up by the police and returned home.
Luke's mother heard about CO ATR through a friend and called to have an assessment done. Luke began treatment and did very well. He learned new coping skills to express his anger instead of shutting down. He learned how to have fun clean and sober and make goals for his life. He has completed the treatment program and continues to attend the weekly lifetime aftercare program.