On April 8, the Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine (COSAM) sent a letter to Governor Jared Polis in support of legislation which would expand access to naloxone. The bill would allow harm reduction entities, law enforcement, and first responders to purchase naloxone through the opioid antagonist bulk purchase fund. It would also allow pharmacists and prescribers to provide naloxone to units of local government.  

COSAM’s letter focused on the harm reduction benefits of increasing access to naloxone. States that enact naloxone access legislation experience a 14% decrease in opioid overdose deaths. Furthermore, a large scale model found that improving distribution of naloxone to first responders and lay people could avert 21% of opioid overdose deaths when compared to minimal distribution of naloxone. This same study found that distribution of naloxone is a cost effective public health strategy. By enacting this legislation, Governor Polis will empower stakeholders in Colorado to combat the addiction crisis in Colorado with an evidence-based harm reduction tool. 

Read the letter here.

Read the bill here.