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According to the 2013-2014 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Colorado was the only state that ranked in the top 10 for heavy consumption of all of the following: marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, and opioid painkillers.
In the 2014-2015 SAMHSA survey, the number of Colorado residents age 12 and older who reported using certain substances in the past year was above—and in some cases well above— the national average:
From 2000 to 2015, there were 10,552 drug overdose deaths in Colorado.
Recreational marijuana was legalized for sale on Jan. 1, 2014. According to a report from the Colorado Department of Public Health, an estimated 31% of young adults used marijuana at least once in the last 30 days in 2014 compared to 21% in 2006. About 12.6% of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 reported using marijuana within the last 30 days in 2014 compared to 10.2% in 2009.
More than 530 people died of an opioid-related overdose in Colorado in 2016, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Here are more troubling statistics from Colorado:
Colorado drug abuse penalties come with a minimum and maximum sentence. The recommended sentencing is usually at the discretion of the Colorado courts.
The three types of punishable crimes relating to drugs involve:
To determine the appropriate fines and sentencing, drugs are categorized into one of five schedules based on their potential for dependency and addiction. Schedules I and II include drugs that have the highest potential for abuse with little or no known medical use. These include drugs like opiates, LSD and cocaine. On the other end of the scale, schedules III, IV and V are made up of drugs that have lower risks for dependency and approved medical uses. These include substances such as codeine, tramadol and buprenorphine.
For example, Colorado drug statutes state that a cocaine possession charge can come with six years' prison time plus up to $500,000 in fines. Selling/trafficking cocaine, however, is a more serious offense with a prison sentence of up to 12 years and $750,000 in fines.
Drug possession charges in the state of Colorado are categorized into schedules based on their risk of addiction. Marijuana is the only exception and has its own separate regulations.
Recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado in 2012. Since marijuana is regulated and taxable, it does not fall under the same scheduling format as other drugs. Legally, Coloradans that are 21 years of age or older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
There are still regulations on marijuana, outlawing the following:
Other laws are still in place for possessing more than one ounce of marijuana. The legal charges and sentencing will vary based on the amount.
| Marijuana Amount | Criminal Charge | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| More than 1 oz. and less than 8 oz. | Class 1 Misdemeanor | 6-18 months in jail and fines ranging from $500 – $5,000 |
| More than 8 oz. | Class 5 Felony | 1-3 years in prison and fines ranging from $1,000 – $100,000 |
Federal data shows that, since marijuana was legalized, adolescent marijuana use has reached its lowest rate in roughly a decade. Teen alcohol and heroin abuse have significantly declined as well.
Despite these positive trends, it's critical that young people have the support of their families and communities so they can build successful lives abstinent from drugs and alcohol. Because even with this decline, Colorado youth continue to abuse many dangerous drugs. The Colorado Youth Survey reports that teens abuse the following substances most frequently:
Preventing and monitoring teen drug abuse is a top priority for any state. Reducing drug and alcohol abuse at young ages can help to reduce the likelihood of a person developing a substance use disorder as an adult.
In response to recent trends, Colorado has established several initiatives aimed at preventing substance abuse in both the adult and adolescent populations. These include:
Finding the right “fit” in terms of treatment will depend on your insurance, medical situation, substance of abuse, addiction history, and support system. The best program for you could be in your hometown, or it could be in another state.
Whether you call Colorado home or have chosen it as your destination for rehab, we can help you take the first step toward healing from addiction. Browse through our directory to see options for inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, and the amenities they offer. Or you can give us a call today to speak with a support specialist about any questions you may have.
When considering the expense of rehab in colorado, look at the expense as an investment in your family's future. Most treatment programs are able to take partial payment through any PPO, HMO or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to discuss your eligibility and the cost of treatment in CO, call our helpline, toll-free to get direct and honest answers to your questions.
Whether your CO inpatient-residential alcohol, illicit and prescription drug addiction recovery with take 30 days or 90 days, making the call now improves your chances of getting and staying healthy. Picking a rehab facility that can meet your own needs before you ever get started can also help quite a lot. When you're ready to book treatment, our hotline advisors can help you get properly placed so you can move on to getting healthy.
The cost of drug rehab in Colorado will be determined by a range of factors including length of stay, amenities offered, staff to patient ratio, location, type of treatment, and any personal requests you may have (e.g. private rooms or childcare).
If you find a program that you like but it is outside your budget, you have a number of options to come up with the funds. For example, you could take out a personal loan, apply for a credit card, or ask friends and family for financial assistance.
No matter how high the cost of treatment seems, the cost of continued drug or alcohol abuse is much higher. Taking the time and energy to invest in your health and wellbeing is important not only for yourself, but to all of those around you.
If you don’t have health insurance or are afraid you can’t cover the cost of rehab, don’t worry. Other options exist.
Get in touch with centers you’re interested in and ask whether they have sliding scale payment programs that modify the cost based on what you can pay. Many treatment facilities will also work out a payment installment plan with you, so you can avoid paying a lump sum up-front.
You can also research state-funded rehabs or see if you qualify for federal and state healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. Some recovery centers accept these forms of insurance.
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