Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-18.5-101. Legislative declaration

(a) Each year Colorado spends significant amounts of money related to untreated substance abuse. The magnitude of public funds spent on the direct and indirect consequences of substance use and abuse is staggering, and dozens of Colorado public agencies play a part in controlling substance use or dealing with its consequences.

(b) Deaths in Colorado related to the abuse of prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, nearly doubled from one hundred eighty in 2000 to three hundred forty-three in 2010;

(c) Children whose parents abuse alcohol or drugs are three times more likely to be verbally, physically, or sexually abused and four times more likely than other children to be neglected. Additionally, research indicates that children in families affected by substance use are at an increased risk for substance use and mental health issues in adolescence. The health, safety, and future success of drug-endangered children are pressing issues in Colorado.

(d) Substance use by youth is detrimental to brain maturation, impacting brain structure, functioning, and neurocognition;

(e) Substance use during pregnancy places children at direct risk for complications, including premature delivery, altered neonatal behavior patterns such as abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability, congenital deformities, low birth weight, attention deficit disorder, and prenatal and postnatal neglect, many of which cause lifelong defects;  and

(f) Each year Colorado spends significant moneys related to untreated substance abuse.

(a) Examine drug trends and the most effective models and practices for:

(b) Formulate a response to current and emerging substance use disorder problems from the criminal justice, prevention, and treatment sectors, including the use of drop-off treatment services, mobile and walk-in crisis centers, and withdrawal management programs, rather than continued criminal justice involvement for offenders of low-level drug offenses;  and

(c) Make recommendations to the general assembly for the development of statewide strategies and legislative proposals related to these issues. The recommendations made to the general assembly shall be made in coordination with the task force and the department of human services, the agency responsible for the administration of behavioral health programs and services.