Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council
This campaign, along with other regional initiatives, is funded by the Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council. Learn more about the Regional Opioid Abatement Councils below.
What is an Opioid Abatement Council?
In order to distribute Colorado’s share of the National Opioid Settlement funds across the State, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office has created both a state and 19 regional Opioid Abatement Councils. Opioid Abatement Councils (OACs) provide oversight of opioid settlement funds and to ensure the distribution of those funds complies with the terms of any settlement and the Colorado Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding. Click here to see a map of the 19 regional councils and their planned spending.
Who is on the Regional Councils?
Regional OACs consist of various representatives of organizations based within the region. Council members can include: elected officials, public health/human services department employees, healthcare or behavioral health providers, substance use treatment professionals, law enforcement, justice system representatives, and even community members with substance use-related lived experience.
What is Region 5?
Region 5 is one of 19 regions created for the purpose of distributing Colorado's opioid settlement funds. Region 5 consists of Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin and Summit Counties. The Region 5 OAC determines how to distribute and manage their funds for a variety of Approved Purposes identified by the Attorney General’s office including: substance use disorder treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and prevention/education programs.
How is the Region 5 OAC using their funding?
Region 5 is currently using their funding towards three different programs:
Harm Reduction
In partnership with High Rockies Harm Reduction, the Region 5's OAC is providing harm reduction services in each of the five counties. Services will include naloxone (Narcan), syringe distribution, education, and peer support services.
Data Dashboard
In partnership with OMNI Institute, the Region 5's OAC is collecting publicly and privately available data to develop a dashboard that will provide data-driven insights on the Abatement Council website.
Anti-Stigma and Education Campaign
In partnership with Effct.org, the Region 5's OAC has developed an anti-stigma and education campaign based on regional community engagement. The campaign gathered local data on behaviors and attitudes regarding substance use in Region 5 and created a website to host geographically and culturally relevant resources and stories. Community Compass is that campaign!
Want to learn more about the Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council?
You can contact the Opioid Abatement Council Coordinator for Region 5, Karina Schorr, by filling out the form below or through the contact information listed here:
(970) 328-9811