Opioid and Fentanyl School Resource Kit
Prevention
Colorado Consortium As schools across Colorado look to navigate the current opioid crisis and prevalence of fentanyl, the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention (Colorado Consortium), in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Boulder County’s Substance Use Advisory Group, created this school toolkit for accessing, distributing and administering Naloxone, and educating school stakeholders on how to safeguard students and staff from the possibility of an opioid overdose.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- CDPHE Overdose Prevention Unit works to prevent overdose death and injury through advancing harm reduction and public health strategies for people who use drugs, those who provide vital community services, and Colorado communities. The CDPHE Overdose Prevention Unit provides technical assistance and training upon request as capacity allows. Contact odprevention@state.co.us
- The Community Prevention and Early Intervention (CPEI) unit helps Colorado communities develop and use the tools they need to prevent substance use.
- Communities that Care prevention organizing over shared protection and risk factors
- Secondary School Student Substance Use Committee
- The Secondary School Student Substance Use Committee developed a report with a practice that secondary schools may implement to identify students who need substance use treatment, as well as interventions, resources, and referrals. Click here to learn more about the report.
- Mental Health Resource Bank
- Medication Guidelines for Colorado School and Child Care Settings
The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)
- Colorado Fentanyl Education is part of the legislature’s education plan. This site educates offenders and the general public
- Get Help: Mental health, drugs, or alcohol
Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS)
Kempe Center Colorado School Mental Health Support Program (SMHSP) A statewide initiative designed to strengthen mental wellness for students and educators, particularly in rural and underserved schools. Created through House Bill 24-1406 and funded by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), SMHSP offers training, resources, and hands-on implementation support to help schools build sustainable, trauma-informed mental health systems.
- Free Mind Campaign The CDC developed the Free Mind campaign by first listening to what young people had to say. By speaking directly with youth, the CDC gained insights into their perceptions of substance use, which shaped the campaign’s messages and branding.
THC & Opioid Connections One Chance to Grow Up
Cannabis 101 + Harm Reduction Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Response
Call 911 and administer Naloxone if someone is actively having an opioid overdose
- Overdose basics International Overdose Awareness Day
Naloxone resources available for school districts Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention (Colorado Consortium), in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Boulder County’s Substance Use Advisory Group, created this school toolkit for accessing, distributing and administering Naloxone, and educating school stakeholders on how to safeguard students and staff from the possibility of an opioid overdose
- Monthly Virtual Naloxone Training- CDPHE offers a monthly virtual training on how to respond to an opioid overdose. The link to register can be found at Overdose prevention | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
- How to recognize and treat opioid overdose (PDF)
- The CDPHE Overdose Prevention Unit provides additional technical assistance and training upon request as capacity allows. Contact odprevention@state.co.us
If a student, staff, or family member is misusing fentanyl or opioids, refer them to a local medical or mental health treatment provider for support, including harm reduction and treatment resources. Behavioral health providers can be found through the Behavioral Health Administration’s Own Path resource.
Safe Disposal Workgroup Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
Colorado Household Medication and Sharps Takeback program| CDPHE
- Direct Crisis Support
- School Safety and Crisis Guidance at a Glance
- Promoting Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis A natural reaction to acts of extreme violence, like school shootings, rioting, and terrorist attacks, is the desire to lash out and punish the perpetrators or perceived enemy.
Recovery
988 Colorado Mental Health Line is an easy-to-remember number that allows anyone with emotional, mental health or substance use concerns to be immediately connected with a trained specialist who will listen without judgment. 988 is free, confidential and available 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or live chat. 988 offers English and Spanish call, text, and chat services, and service in over 240 languages via call.
The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Find help for mental health, drug, or alcohol use through Colorado LIFTS
Colorado Consortium Resources for Families and Friends
IMatter Free therapy scholarships
Own Path Colorado mental health and substance use treatment providers
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Adolescent mental health and substance use tool
Second Wind Fund offers free counseling scholarships for children up to 19 years old
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies aimed at reducing negative outcomes across the continuum of drug use. It emphasizes the importance of saving lives, honoring personal autonomy, and supporting equitable, low-barrier avenues to improve individual and community well-being.
According to C.R.S. 22-1-119.1, schools may adopt a policy to maintain a stock supply of opiate antagonists. Statute states the following must be in place for a school district to possess and administer naloxone:
- A policy must be adopted by the local board of education
- The policy must include permission to obtain, how the stock opioid antagonist supply will be maintained, and administration of opioid antagonists
- A standing order must be in place
- Training for individuals who wish to administer an opioid antagonist to individuals at risk of experiencing a drug overdose.
- Training must include risk factors for overdose, recognizing an overdose, calling emergency medical services, rescue breathing, and administering an opiate antagonist.
For more information on stock opioid antagonists please see the CDE School Nurse Training Tools webpage
Naloxone resources available for school districts
Colorado Harm Reduction Organizations: A list of regional syringe service programs. Harm reduction organizations provide a number of resources to people who use drugs and the general community, including naloxone, overdose prevention, and education.
Naloxone Training: Recognizing and Responding to Opioid Overdose CDPHE self-paced, web-based training
Understanding and Applying Harm Reduction CDPHE self-paced, web-based training
CDPHE Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Prevention and Care
National Resources
Resource Center | National Harm Reduction Coalition
Safety First: Real Drug Education for Teens| Drug Policy Alliance
- Published paper reviewing the evaluation results of “Safety First”| the Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy Journal
Youth Harm Reduction: Resources and information for and about youth involved with drug use
Students for Sensible Drug Policy Harm reduction & overdose prevention education provided by young people
- Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD): Methadone and Buprenorphine - Drug Policy Alliance
- Drug Fact Sheets
Fentanyl Facts and Fiction: A Safety Guide for First Responders - JEMS: EMS, Emergency Medical Services (Journal of Emergency Medical Services website)
ACMT and AACT Position Statement: Preventing Occupational Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analog Exposure to Emergency Responders (National Library of Medicine website)
WTFentanyl: A site created by emergency physicians, toxicologists, and addiction medicine specialists to correct fentanyl misinformation. Contributors are experienced with fentanyl — both caring for patients with overdoses as well as using it medically to treat pain.
- Syringe Services Programs: A NACo Opioid Solutions Strategy Brief
- Syringe services for people who inject drugs are enormously effective, but remain underused| National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Syringe Services Programs | HIV.gov
- Peer Reviewed Research About Syringe Service Programs | Washington State Department of Health
National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
Statewide Resources
Advocates for Recovery Peer support
Rise Above Colorado Youth prevention
Access Point Colorado Harm Reduction
Syringe Access Program Harm Reduction
Colorado Attorney General Combating the opioid crisis
Young People in Recovery Peer support
Recovery Friendly Workplace Workplace support
Peer Assistance Services, Inc. non-profit agency leading with prevention and intervention for substance use and mental health concerns.
Mental Health Colorado Online Screenings
Lift the Label remove labels and stigma that prevent those with addiction from seeking effective treatment. Spanish-language resources can be found at QuitemosLaEtiqueta.org.
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) Family and paper support
Colorado Statewide Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) involves a network of state agencies and data experts that come together to examine the patterns, context, and impact of substance use to inform interventions at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels.
Conversation Guide for Professionals on Substance Use, Children & Families helping professionals to address substance use, safe storage of substances, safe and engaged caregiving, and Protective Factors that promote child and family well-being
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) free supports for family members and friends of people struggling with addiction, also known as a substance use disorder. Groups are available in English and Spanish throughout the state.
Local Resource by RTC region
Metro
Adams County Health Department Harm Reduction
Addiction Treatment Services Denver Health
Arapahoe County Public Health Harm Reduction
Arapahoe County/Rio 9 Opioid Abatement Council (ROAC)
Bee the Vibe Risk Reduction Denver County
Boulder County Public Health The Works Program
Boulder County Region Opioid Council
Boulder County Youth Opioid Overdose Prevention Program
Broomfield County Mental Health and Substance Use
City and County of Denver Overdose Prevention
Clear Creek County Public Health Harm Reduction Services Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips can be provided by calling 303-670-7528
Colorado Opioid Synergy Larimer & Weld North Colorado Health Alliance
Connect Effect Teller County
Denver Health Opioid Crisis Information
Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Jefferson
HardBeauty Castle Rock Unity youth coaching
Jefferson Center Mental Health, Substance Use, Behavioral Healthcare, and Counseling Programs, including youth residential recovery and crisis stabilization
Jefferson Center's Mobile Medication-Assisted (MAT) Treatment brings MAT to people who experience substance use disorders and are unable to get to a traditional brick-and-mortar treatment facility in Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Jefferson Counties.
Jefferson County Opioid Task Force
Northern Colorado Collaborative for Addiction and Recovery Supporters
Northern Colorado Health Alliance Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention
Opioid Epidemic Digital Guide Boulder County Medical Society
Pikes Peak Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council Teller and El Paso Counties
Resilience1220 confidential counseling services to youth ages 12 to 20 years old at no cost in Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey, Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Park counties
Rocky Mountain Partnership Redesigning Navigation & Out-of-School Time
Substance Use and Mental Health Resources
Teller County Mental Health Alliance
Teller County Public Health Mental Health and Substance Use
Weld County Substance Use Disorder Education and Prevention
Youth Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (YOOP) Boulder County
Southwest
Archuleta County Public Health
CB State of Mind Resources, education, and free counseling scholarships
Chaffee County Substance Use and Resources
Chaffee Resources Opioid Overdose Prevention
Dolores County Public Health
Gunnison County GRASP and Harm Reduction supplies and education
Health Solutions Pueblo, Trinidad, Walsenburg Treatment and Recovery
Healthy Montezuma Montezuma County Public Health
La Plata County Harm Reduction and Youth Substance Use Prevention
Lift the Label Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute
Miguel County Public Health Substance Use Resources
Mindfulness in Recovery (MIR) Gunnison and Online
Ouray County Public Health
Porch Light Health Treatment
Recognizing Opportunities Around Resilience (ROAR) La Plata County Public Health
River Valley Family Health Centers (Olathe Community Clinic MAT)
Silver Thread Public Health District
Southern Ute Tribe Behavioral Health
Telluride Regional Medical Center Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Tri-County Health Network Mental Health Scholarship
Ute Mountain Ute Health Services
Western Colorado Area Health Education Center Community Opioid Response
Northwest
A Way Out navigation, family support, and scholarships for Addiction Treatment
Bee the Vibe Risk Reduction Summit County
Building Hope Summit County Mental Health Navigation and Scholarships
Clean and Sober Steamboat Events
Community Compass Substance use resources and storytelling
Credible Mind Free, a confidential platform with vetted resources like podcasts, apps, videos, and articles to support your wellbeing in Routt County, Jackson County, Moffat County, Grand County, and Rio Blanco County
Discovery Cafe Peer Support
Eagle County RECONNECTED peer support
Facing Fentanyl Grand Junction and National
Garfield County Public Health
Grand County Harm Reduction
Grand County Rural Health Network Recovery Coordination Program
Health Partnership Recovery Support and Education
High Rockies Harm Reduction Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, Summit Counties education and harm reduction
Lake County Harm Reduction & Substance Use Support
Mindfulness in Recovery (MIR) Carbondale and Online
Northwest Colorado Health Opioid and Mat Resources
Partners for Youth Mentorship in Northwest Colorado
Pitkin County Mental Health & Substance Use
Recovery Resources Aspen and Basalt outpatient and support services
Routt County Public Health Substance Use Prevention
Routt County Public Health Harm Reduction Kits
Rural Alliance Addressing Substance Use Disorder-Colorado (RAS-Col) Resources
Summit County Colorado Substance Use Prevention
Summit County Overdose Prevention and Education (SCOPE)
Vail Behavioral Health Substance Abuse
Western Colorado Area Health Education Center Mesa County Opioid Response Group
Yampa Valley Resources Substance Use and Recovery
Youth Zone Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Aspen, Carbondale Substance Use Prevention and Intervention
South Central
Crestone Recovery Services Treatment
Crossroads’ Turning Points, Inc. Alcohol and drug prevention, intervention, and substance use disorder treatment agency
Friendly Harbor Community Center Peer Support
Hope in the Valley Faith-Based Treatment
Las Animas & Huerfana Counties Prescription Opioid Overdose Prevention, Change the Narrative Campaign, Resources
Pueblo County Naloxone Training and Substance Use Response Ecosystem (SURE)
Rio Grande County Public Health
Rio Grande Hospital Recovery Clinic
Rio Grande Prevention Program Prevention
San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Opioid Responses
San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group Treatment and Recovery
San Luis Valley Health Addiction Treatment
SLV Health Access Risk Reduction Project (SHARRP) San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center (SLV AHEC)
Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association
Southeast
All Recovery Meetings Lamar, CO
The Cornerstone Resource Center Resource coordination & referral
Community Life Coalition of Prowers County Substance Use Resource Guide
Crossroads Turning Points, INC. drug prevention, intervention, and substance use disorder treatment agency
Prowers County Public Health Services
Otero County Health Department Substance Use Disorder Information
The Schreiber Research Group (TSRG) Community Outreach and Southeast Colorado Resource Brochure
Region Six Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Co Recovery in Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers counties, and is situated in southeast Colorado
Northeast
Centennial Mental Health Substance Use Disorders Services and Prevention Offerings
City of Fort Morgan Resources for Fentanyl
Colorado Roots Rural Opioid & Addiction Treatment System
Haxtun Health Safe Haven Recovery and Mental Health Support
North Colorado Health Alliance Larimer & Weld County
North Range Behavioral Health Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
Northeast Colorado Health Department Substance Use Community of Support
Salud Family Health Behavioral Health Care
YouthLink Collaborative Management Program Resources and Programs
Regional Abatement Councils
Colorado Opioid Abatement Council The Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) was created by the Department of Law. The COAC is specifically responsible for oversight of opioid funds from the Regional Share and for developing processes and procedures for the statewide Infrastructure Share.
Region 1 Northwest Colorado Opioid Response Council (NWCOR) Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Grand, and Routt Counties
Region 2 Larimer County Opioid Regional Opioid Abatement Council
Region 3 Weld County Regional Opioid Council (WROC)
Region 4 Colorado Region 4 Opiod Abatement Council Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma.
Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council (R5OAC) Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin, and Summit counties
Region 6 Boulder County Region Opioid Council
Region 7 City and County of Broomfield
Region 8 Adams County
Region 9 Arapahoe County Opioid Abatement Council
Region 10 Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council (GROC) Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Jefferson
Region 11 Denver Opioid Abatement Council (DOAC) City and County of Denver
Region 12 Douglas Regional Opioid Abatement Council
Region 13 Mesa County Public Health
Region 14 Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council (SWCORC) Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties
Region-15 Opioid Settlement Governance Committee Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Park Counties
Region 16 Pikes Peak Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council El Paso and Teller Counties
Region 17 SouthWest Opioid Response District (SWORD)Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties
Region 18 Alamosa County
Region 19 Southeast Colorado Opioid Region 19 (SECOR) Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo
If you see a broken link or want to add a resource, please contact us cdps_oss@state.co.us