The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Education and Prevention program is funded through the Weld County (Region 3) Opioid Council. The program supports education, communication, and prevention strategies for substance use disorder with a variety of partners and schools in Weld County.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental health disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances. SUD can happen to anyone and affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. People may use drugs to cope with stress, trauma, or mental health issues. Some may develop an opioid use disorder after misusing opioids prescribed by doctors. Addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. SUD is common, recurrent, and often serious, but is treatable and many people do recover.
Overdose Awareness Day events will take place at four northern Colorado locations in Northern Colorado, bringing together community resource organizations, speakers, Naloxone distribution and education, music, food, activities, and shared stories of recovery and remembrance.
- Aug. 24 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.in Loveland at the Foundry Plaza
- Aug. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Greeley at the Pavilion in Lincoln Park
- Aug. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Fort Collins at Old Town Square
- Aug. 29 and 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Estes Park
International Overdose Awareness Day began in 2001 in Australia as a campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. Additional event organization is provided by the Northern Colorado Harm Reduction Alliance and the Northern Colorado Collaborative for Addiction and Recovery.
For more information or to download a poster, visit End Overdose CO.