Opioids

fentanyl

Two inmates survive overdoses at La Plata County Jail

Deputies suspect women consumed fentanyl while behind bars

January 16, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Education

How a friend’s death turned Durango students into anti-overdose activists

‘We realized we could actually make a change if we put our hearts to it’

March 7, 2024 • Rae Ellen Bichell — KFF Health News

Addiction

Opioid settlement dollars to fund recovery housing in Southwest Colorado

$1.5 million allocation will bring critical resource to the region

November 28, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado

Jared Polis vows to veto bill authorizing sites where people could use illicit drugs and be revived if they overdose

governor’s opposition effectively means the so-called overdose prevention centers won’t be allowed in Colorado until at least after his term…

October 31, 2023 • Jesse Paul — The Colorado Sun

Addiction

$2 million goes to Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute tribes from opioid settlements

‘It won’t have a huge impact, but it does help,’ Ute Mountain Ute tribal chairman says

September 8, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Addiction

14 lives in 14 weeks

health approach to drug use is meeting people where they’re at – and saving lives

August 27, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Addiction

Inpatient substance use treatment in Durango possible, but unlikely

Results of long-awaited feasibility study outline needs and options related to opioid crisis

July 16, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Addiction

Findings on substance use in Pine River Valley released

Community dialogue conducted by Pine River Shares and Southern Colorado Community Action Agency

June 19, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Alcohol

What does Southwest Colorado need to better address addiction?

Advocates say comprehensive resources needed, from recovery housing to methadone clinics

May 5, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Addiction

Leaving for treatment can be hard; coming back is an added burden

substance abuse patients return, they find same triggers, few support systems

May 3, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Addiction

Addiction has found its way to Southwest Colorado; robust treatment services have not

rural areas, inpatient substance use centers can be hard to access; the ramifications can be severe

May 1, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Addiction

Leaving friends, family and community for treatment is hard, but some have little choice

Patients must travel hours for inpatient substance use care – if they can find it at all

May 1, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Legislature

Colorado cities still not allowed to authorize ‘overdose prevention centers’

Bill’s failure comes amid a string of defeats for state’s progressive Democrats

April 27, 2023 • Jesse Paul — The Colorado Sun

Durango School District 9-R

Narcan policy finalized at Durango School District 9-R

Trained students will be able to administer opioid antagonist on campus in overdose situations

April 27, 2023 • Tyler Brown — Herald Staff Writer

Farmington

National drug take-back day is April 22

Citizens can safely dispose of expired, unwanted prescription drugs

April 19, 2023 • David Edward Albright — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Q&A: Durango student helped lead the fight to carry and use Narcan on campus

Lesage has helped train hundreds of students, staff and faculty on how to administer lifesaving drug

April 18, 2023 • Garret Jaros — Herald Staff Writer

Fort Lewis College

Opioid harm reduction efforts advance in La Plata County

Naloxone trainings spread; increased education and safe injection tools to come

March 7, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

La Plata County Jail finds success in helping drug addiction with MAT program

Treatment procedures were already in place before Colorado’s new fentanyl laws took effect

February 14, 2023 • Megan K. Olsen — Herald Staff Writer

Animas High School

At Animas High School, students take on opioid harm reduction

Prompted by the loss of a friend to an overdose, classmates help deliver community resources

February 10, 2023 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Students face off with Durango School District over carrying Narcan on campus

9-R staff and students grapple with meaning, intent of Colorado statute

January 26, 2023 • Tyler Brown — Herald Staff Writer

Budgets and budgeting

Federal budget brings region one step closer to substance abuse treatment

Appropriations bill sets $1,825,000 aside for possible inpatient treatment in La Plata County

December 26, 2022 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Police Department

Resources made available for opioid harm reduction

Juan Basin Public Health will hold an event to distribute overdose reversal drugs and fentanyl test strips

December 12, 2022 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer