Colorado Programs and Initiatives

[Page 151]The Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) was designated in 1996 and is responsible for areas in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and the ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 1998 areas within the United States with serious drug trafficking problems were categorized as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs). The mission of RMHIDTA is to foster cooperation and coordination among federal, state and local drug enforcement efforts to reduce drug trafficking locally, regionally and nationally.

The Colorado Drug-Free Workplace Alliance is a nonprofit association of businesses working to reduce the presence of drugs in the workplace. The Colorado DFWA provides technical assistance and education to build and maintain a successful drug free workplace agenda.

In 2006 the Colorado General Assembly created a partnership of government and private sector institutions titled the Colorado State Methamphetamine Task Force (SMTF). The SMTF provides assistance for local communities to respond to illegal methamphetamine production, distribution, and use to improve the well-being of Colorado residents.

The Colorado Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (DEC), established in 2002, pursues the safety of children exposed to the extreme dangers of drug abuse environments. The Colorado DEC offers support for the children, families, organizations, and communities affected by substance abuse through increased collaboration across government and private sectors.

According to the Office of Justice Programs Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistant project, in 2007 there were 15 drug courts in existence or being planned in Colorado. Currently in Denver, the District Attorney has created a Drug Unit composed of five attorneys, an investigator, and two legal secretaries who work under the supervision of a Chief Deputy District Attorney and with the Denver Police Department and the Denver Drug Court. The Denver Drug Court is designed to place offenders in immediate treatment and supervision. The Denver Drug Court reduces the process time of drug cases from three months to three to five days and allows eligible offenders a supervision plan that includes random drug testing, treatment, regular court reviews, community service, fines and restitution, and sanctions for noncompliance.

Drug smuggling in Colorado is often gang-related. Above, an alleged gang member arrested in July 2010.

Under the Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of Behavioral Health, there are three primary treatment and recovery programs: Colorado Access to Recovery (ATR), the Colorado Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Program (SBIRT Colorado), and the Short Term Intensive Residential Remediation Treatment Program (STIRRT). Colorado Access to Recovery (ATR) is a federally funded initiative increasing access to substance abuse treatment and recovery support services. The Colorado Office of the Governor in conjunction with Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) expands existing treatment capacity, augments client choice of treatment provider, and enhances the participation of community and faith-based organizations in supporting people with substance abuse problems.

Colorado's Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment program (SBIRT Colorado) is a federally funded initiative with the intention of including SBIRT procedures and services into the standard of care practices within primary healthcare settings in Colorado. Screening and brief intervention (SBI) is a technique that allows healthcare providers to recognize and intercede with people who may be at risk for substance abuse. Referral to treatment (RT) provides care to individuals who [Page 152]require intervention or treatment. This program addresses substance dependence as a disease and as a preventable healthcare issue.

...