What happened: Colorado’s bulk naloxone purchase fund, which has supplied the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug to communities statewide, is on track to run out of funding next year. Established to support cities and public health organizations in addressing the opioid crisis, the program faces an uncertain future as costs rise, with estimates reaching $750 million by 2038. Inadequate funds will limit naloxone distribution and impact harm reduction efforts across Colorado, where thousands of doses have been delivered to at-risk communities.
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Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:
- Funding shortfall jeopardizes naloxone access. Without additional resources, the state’s program to provide free naloxone doses to the public will likely end, affecting overdose prevention.
- Bureaucratic mismanagement complicates fund allocation. A misclassification in how funds were allocated contributed to financial instability, disrupting distribution efforts at community and organizational levels.
- Reduced distribution could increase overdose deaths. Naloxone supplies are critical for harm reduction centers, schools, and community groups; reduced access threatens the state’s overdose response capacity.
The path forward
The future of Colorado’s naloxone program highlights the need for stable funding and strategic planning in harm reduction initiatives. As Colorado assesses new funding mechanisms, such as reallocating tax revenues or securing grant support, EMS and public health organizations may face service limitations that put vulnerable communities at risk. Long-term solutions are essential to ensure naloxone remains accessible and overdose prevention efforts continue effectively.
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