Substance Misuse

The rising opioid epidemic in Denver necessitates a coordinated and comprehensive response that draws on the expertise of service providers, policymakers and systems-level actors. The response must allocate sufficient resources for the delivery of individual services and for the alignment, coordination and systems development that will ensure those services have the maximum impact.

Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) initiated a collective impact process to coordinate the multi-sectoral efforts underway to address the opioid epidemic. The Collective Impact Group (CIG) is also working closely with leadership at the state level and in various other areas in Colorado, Seattle/King County, San Francisco, and Vancouver to benefit from lessons learned and common approaches to reducing opioid misuse.

Learn more about Denver's Collective Impact efforts below:

• Opioid Response Strategic Plan(PDF, 2MB)
• Opioid Epidemic: Collective Impact Summary Report (PDF)

• Opioid Epidemic Collective Impact Summary Report (2018) (PDF)
• Denver Needs Assessment on Opioid Use (2018) (PDF)
  • Appendix A. Interview Guide (PDF)
  • Appendix B. Confidentiality Agreement (PDF)
  • Appendix C. Informed Consent (PDF)
  • Appendix D. Treatment Provider Survey (PDF)
  • Appendix E. Preliminary Findings Infographic (PDF)

• Miles Away From Help: The Opioid Epidemic and Medication-Assisted Treatment in Colorado(PDF)
• Heroin in Colorado: Preliminary Assessment (PDF)
• Examining Opioid and Heroin-Related Drug Overdose in Colorado (PDF)