Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program - Boulder County, Colorado

2022 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Boulder County, Colo., CO

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About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

In 2018, Boulder County was awarded a Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the U.S. Department of Justice to develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to address opiate abuse among its criminally involved residents. Through the provision of services to this population while in custody and at the point of release back to the community, COAP aims to reduce opioid abuse and the number of overdose fatalities and decrease further criminal-justice system involvement among its target population. The theory of change that drives COAP is to address the underlying issues of opioid use and co-occurring mental health issues among Boulder County’s criminal justice system-involved residents to reduce opioid overdose events and recidivism. The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) develops and implements a comprehensive and coordinated strategy through a focus on prevention, education, and effective responses to those affected by opiate dependence. COAP provides in-jail services including group and individual counseling in addition to community reentry services. COAP and JMAT (Jail Medication Assisted Treatment) Teams work closely together to promote individual recovery goals and provide supportive services during incarceration.