Pharmacy Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2017 - 18

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention :

Gov. Jon Hickenlooper, surrounded by law makers and advocates, signs new law creating the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at our school.

State gives $1 million to fund new
center at CU Skaggs School of
Pharmacy to fight opioid epidemic
B Y M I C H A E L DAV I D S O N

he state of Colorado and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
are joining forces to fight prescription drug abuse and the opioid epidemic, with
the state allocating $1 million to the university to create a new center that will
focus on the crisis.
The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at the CU Skaggs School of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is the result of Senate Bill 17-193, which
Gov. John Hickenlooper signed on May 18.
The new center initially will focus on preventing the abuse of prescription medications, including
opioid painkillers. Gov. Hickenlooper called the epidemic of opioid misuse an "out of control" problem and noted it affects all Coloradans, whether they live in urban, suburban or rural communities.
"This is a major step forward," Gov. Hickenlooper said. "This center will be able to, with a great
sense of urgency, come up with not just research but also options and plans to make real headway."
The center's role will include helping state agencies, communities and nonprofits (among others)
develop, improve and coordinate public outreach and education campaigns throughout the state.
The $1 million for the center comes from the marijuana tax cash fund.

COMBINING RESOURCES TO FIGHT AN URGENT PROBLEM
Lawmakers and university leaders including CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman joined the
governor at a bill signing ceremony at the school. Elliman noted that the center deepens the

CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

relationship between CU Anschutz
and the state, which have a mutual interest in fighting the opioid epidemic.
"It's a project that's been a priority
on this campus and for our governor
for more than four years," Elliman said.
"The new center will be a welcome tool.
It's work that we believe passionately in."
The new center will build on the
work of the Colorado Consortium for
Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention,
which is headquartered at the CU
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Sciences and is coordinated by Consortium Director Robert
Valuck, PhD., a professor at the school.
The consortium provides infrastructure and coordination that links the
many agencies, organizations, health
professions, associations, task forces and
programs that are currently addressing
the prescription drug abuse problem. Its
efforts include the Take Meds Seriously
campaign, which educates Coloradans
about the importance of safe use and safe
storage of prescription drugs.
The consortium also works with the
Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment on the Take Meds
Back campaign, which helps Colorado
residents find options for safe disposal
of medications. It also helps pharmacies
and law enforcement agencies begin
drug take back programs.

GAINING LEVERAGE
The $1 million will go to prevention,
education and research. The initial
focus will be on the abuse of opioid
painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl. Over time, the
center will be positioned to expand its
work to include other substance abuse
issues, including alcoholism and the
abuse of other prescription drugs and
illicit substances.
Both Hickenlooper and Elliman
said they believe the Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention will be
able to build on the state's initial investment to grow into one of the nation's
most effective centers. Hickenlooper
pointed to CU Anschutz's successful
track record of leveraging public
money to raise private donations.
Elliman said the center will forge
relationships with organizations and
communities throughout the state.

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