About the SEOW: The Colorado SEOW increases awareness, understanding, and access to data and data publications that address substance use, abuse and related health issues in Colorado. The Colorado SEOW is a multi-disciplinary working group that promotes the collection, analysis, and clear communication of data to support and inform substance use, prevention,
intervention, treatment, recovery, enforcement, and broader policy.
The Colorado SEOW is associated with the Colorado Office of the Attorney General as the data committee for the Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force (SATF). This unique relationship allows the SEOW to provide key leaders and legislators with information on substance use trends and to help inform the allocation of resources.
Highlights:
The SEOW is seeking a Co-Chair
Stimulant Data Brief coming Summer 2021
What's Happening
SEOW Seeking a new Co-Chair: The SEOW Steering Committee is recruiting an individual to serve as a Co-Chair. The selected Co-Chair will be asked to commit to a two-year term. This commitment will require approximately 5 - 12 hours of effort per month spread across the two Co-Chairs.
This position provides unique leadership and network opportunities for individuals at all stages of their careers.
If you are interested in applying for this position, or would like to learn more, please complete this questionnaire by June 15th.
The SC creates agendas, discusses strategic direction, and reviews progress on the SEOW’s goals.
Co-Chair Recruitment The SEOW is seeking an individual to fill the two-year role of Co-Chair. If you are interested in filling this position, please fill out this questionnaire.
The SEOW has a new Coordinator: The SEOW welcomes Sydney Chaves as our new Coordinator. Sydney has been with The Evaluation Center since 2019 and recently completed her MPH with a concentration in Health Systems, Management and Policy at the Colorado School of Public Health.
Workgroup Updates:
Alcohol Policy:
This workgroup was formed to research evidence-based policies to reduce excessive drinking in Colorado. The WG continues discussing alcohol outlet density indicators, measurement frequency, and next steps. The WG has identified potential dissemination pathways including a factsheet and storyboard. Please contact Julia
Stullken with questions and suggestions regarding this work.
Data Brief:
This workgroup was formed to develop short, topical briefs on issues and events that are timely and relevant to policy makers and substance use professionals in Colorado. The workgroup aims to produce three topical briefs each year.
The WG is currently creating a data brief on the topic of stimulant use. Publication is anticipated at the end of June 2021. To access previous briefs, click here.
Prescription
Drug:
The prescription drug workgroup is a new group formed to address prescription drug use and data needs.
The WG continues to meet and is working to determine the future scope of work and potential projects.
If you are interesting in joining this WG, please contact Sydney Chaves.
Training:
Self-paced online learning modules are in the production phase that accompanies the Data Literacy Manual. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the workgroup, contact Sydney Chaves.
Epidemiological Profiles:
The Epi Profile WG is on a break
since completing the most recent round of publications. If you found one or more of these products useful and would like to provide feedback, please fill out this one-minute survey.
The 2021 Epidemiological Profiles are now ready and available for your use!
The profiles provide an overview of various substances, substance use behaviors, and consequences related to substance use.The 2021 profiles include a section on Colorado demographics, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and
opioids. Be sure to provide feedback on these products.
To learn more about the statistics regarding demographics, binge drinking, convictions and crashes related to DUIs in Colorado, click here.
Colorado Drug Overdose Deaths Increase in 2020
The CDC released provisional drug overdose counts. Colorado experienced the 5th greatest increase (including D.C.) in Drug Overdose deaths in 12-month period ending in September
2020. To see the data, click here.
Closing the Treatment Gap for Opioid Use Disorder in Colorado
This storyboard dashboard provides insight to the current scope of treatment across the state. To see this resource, click here.
Upcoming Conferences: Public Health in the Rockies will be taking pace in Keystone, August25-27, 2021.To learn more or register for the event, check out the PHiR website.
Shared Risk & Protective Factors Virtual Conference will take place June 8-11, 2021. To learn more or register, check out the Center for Public Health Practice.
Ways To Get Involved
Upcoming Meetings
Interested in contributing your perspective and expertise to further impact substance use efforts?
Attend an upcoming monthly meeting in person or virtually;
Present data or data products at a monthly meeting;
Share our newsletter with others in your network; and,
