2023 Epi Profiles Opioids
View 2023 opioids profileEpi Profiles Purpose
The profiles are tools for individuals and organizations working in substance use-related areas like behavioral health, public health, public safety, and public policy. They provide an overview of various substances, substance use behaviors, and consequences related to substance use. The Colorado SEOW publishes statewide substance use profiles every other year. The profiles provide an overview of various substances, substance use behaviors, and consequences related to substance use. The Colorado SEOW will publish substance use profiles every other year.
The profiles result from the collaborative efforts of Colorado SEOW partners and their respective agencies. The Evaluation Center (TEC) at the University of Colorado Denver is contracted through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to coordinate and carry out the development of the profiles.
opioids profile Highlights
In 2020, 5.5% of Coloradans reported non-medical opioid use which is similar to the national average (5.6%). (1)
Survey of Non-medical Use of Prescription Drugs Program, 2020
Many regions in the southeast of Colorado had a higher prescription opioid fill rate compared to the state average (484.8 per 1,000 Coloradans) in 2021. (2)
Age-specific crude rates per 100,000 population
Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, 2021
6% of public high school students have taken a prescription pain reliever without a doctor’s prescription during the past month in 2021. (3)
Colorado Vital Statistics Program, 2017-2021
Percent of public high school students who took a prescription pain reliever without a prescription in 2021
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 2021
Drug overdose deaths involving
fentanyl increased each year from 2017-2021. (4)
17.7% of treatment admissions in Colorado were for prescription opioids or heroin in 2021. (5)
- Survey of Non-medical Use of Prescription Drugs Program, 2020
- Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, 2021
- Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 2021
- Colorado Vital Statistics Program, 2017-2021
- Drug and Alcohol Coordinated Data System, 2021