UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF BOULDER COUNTY
FACTSHEET
HB23-1202
OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTER AUTHORIZATION
Q: What are overdose prevention centers?
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A: Safe and supervised spaces where previously obtained drugs can be used. Other harm reduction services are provided (e.g. fentanyl tests), and connection to community resources like treatment, counseling etc. The first center was introduced in 1986 in Switzerland, there are over 160 sites gloablly. Zero overdoses have been recorded. The American Medical Association supports the implementation of overdose prevenetion ceneters.
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Overdose deaths
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The bill would allow municipalities to implement an evidence based intervention that aims to address the opioid epidemic. Over 100.000 Americans die each year from preventable overdoses, In the City and County of Denver 473 people died from overdoses in 2021, and at least 219 people died from fentanyl overdoses in 2022.
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Public Health - Saftey - Local Control
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HB23-1202 aims to improve public health by reducing overdose deaths and transmissible and infectious diseases. Increase public saftey by reducing public drug use and disposal of paraphernalia. Local solutions to local issues.
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GOAL #3:
ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT ALL AGES
Target 3.3
By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases
Indicators
3.3.1
Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age and key populations
3.3.4
Hepatitis B incidence per 100,000 population
Target 3.5
Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
Indicator
3.5.1
Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders
For more information: Harm Reduction Action Center and Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition released a special brief. A recently published editorial from The New York Times advocates for Overdose Prevention Sites.
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These legislators are already in support. Feel free to thank them.
Prime Sponsor
Rep. E. Epps, Rep. J. Willford, Sen. J. Gonzales, Sen. K. Priola
Sponsor
Rep. J. Amabile, Rep. J. Bacon, Rep. A. Boesenecker, Rep. K. Brown, Rep. R. Dickson, Rep. R. English, Rep. L. Garcia, Rep. S. Gonzales-Gutierrez, Rep. I. Jodeh, Rep. J. Joseph, Rep. C. Kipp, Rep. S. Lieder, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. W. Lindstedt, Rep. J. Mabrey, Rep. D. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. D. Ortiz, Rep. S. Sharbini, Rep. E. Sirota, Rep. T. Story, Rep. B. Titone, Rep. A. Valdez, Rep. E. Velasco, Rep. S. Vigil, Rep. M. Weissman, Rep. S. Woodrow, Rep. C. deGruy Kennedy, Sen. J. Coleman, Sen. L. Cutter, Sen. R. Fields, Sen. S. Jaquez Lewis, Sen. F. Winter
Co-Sponsor
Next Step:
HB23-1202 will be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on 4/20/2023.
Please ask the members of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee to support this bill!
Email Example
To: Your Senator
Subject: Support HB23-1202!
Hello,
My name is [insert your name] and I live in [your city/ZIP code].
I am urging you to support this legislation that will save lives. Over 100.000 Americans die every year from a preventable overdose. In order to end this public health crisis, we must focus on evidence-based interventions that have proven to be effective tools and make communities healthier and safer.
Overdose Prevention Centers will reduce overdose deaths and the transmission of infectious diseases. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 that aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. As a member of United Nations Association of Boulder County, I ask you to allow Colorado communities to use this intervention to fight this public health emergency.
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Thanks for your attention.
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Best,
[insert your name]
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