Substance Use Data, Pueblo County

This effort has included collaboration and guidance from an Executive Committee with memberships from:

Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment

Pueblo County Department of Human Services

Pueblo Police Department

Pueblo Fire Department

10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

Health Solutions

Parkview Medical Center

St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

Crossroads’ Turning Points

Pueblo Community Health Center

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office

Pueblo Community Corrections

American Medical Response

Implementation Projects: 

• Quick Response Team (QRT) – The QRT was developed through public health partnerships with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry and the Directing Other’s to Service (DOTS) program through the Pueblo Fire Department. This team is composed of firefighters and a peer navigator. The QRT responds to individuals who have recently experienced an overdose to provide assistance and connection to community resources and wraparound services.
• Community Resource Peer Program – Grant funding has allowed the  Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry office to host a Peer who supports the QRT as well as a continuity of treatment program serving individuals who are impacted by substance use ensuring support and connection to resources. The continuity of treatment serves individuals who are involved with the criminal justice system, and also serves as a community wide peer resource. Because no specific provider or agency affiliation is required to access the peer services, this program provides a starting point for anyone who may need assistance.  
• Support for the Pueblo Rescue Mission – Grant funding has been provided to the Pueblo Rescue Mission to support data collection concerning individuals facing housing insecurity - who are also impacted by substance use - and connecting these individuals to resources.

Data allows agencies and partners to recognize changes in trends, identify new or emerging drug threats, and demonstrate the positive impacts of existing programs. Examples of how data influenced substance use programmatic or policy changes in Pueblo County:

Fentanyl Strip Testing

• When fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply in large quantities, it resulted in higher overdose deaths. Syringe exchange programs provided their participants with fentanyl test strips and they used data from tests of the drug supply to alert substance users to the presence of fentanyl. Testing data allowed individuals to make conscious choices about changing habits when fentanyl was present in the drug supply.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD®)

• Data showed a significant number of non-violent, drug-related arrests being made in Pueblo County. Based on this data, the County applied for and received Office of Behavioral Health funds to start the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD®) program. LEAD® is a pre-booking diversion program that aims to improve public health and to end the cycle of recidivism. Instead of being charged and booked following an arrest, the arresting officer identifies the arrestee as a potential participant for the diversion program and subsequently connects them with the case manager.

Opioid Prescriptions

• Over ten years ago, Colorado was rated as the second worst in the nation for prescription drug misuse. When data showed the impact of prescription drug misuse, former Governor John Hickenlooper released the Colorado Plan to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse. The plan recommended educational and medical opportunities to address prescription drug misuse, and initiated Colorado’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to track controlled substances in the state for prescribers and dispensers.

 This data dashboard will continue to inform community partners in tracking and monitoring existing and emerging drug threats. The data can also be used to improve systems and inform policy-related decisions to prevent future drug threats.