For all the local, state and federal tax dollars thrown at “harm reduction” programs to address Colorado’s addiction crisis, it would be only reasonable to expect a return on that investment. And our state is indeed getting a return — just not the kind it had hoped for.
The startling news reported the other day by The Gazette is that year-to-date overdoses are soaring in Denver. Drug overdose rates tracked by the city’s health department — for fatal and nonfatal overdoses — rose more than 20% in Denver year to date through July compared with the same period last year.
As The Gazette’s report noted, data isn’t clear yet as to whether the trend is mirrored elsewhere in our state. But considering Denver is Colorado’s No. 1 city, the statewide implications seem rather obvious…