Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Colorado Springs, CO

Drug and Mental Health Trends in the Colorado Springs Area

In 2012, Colorado voters approved a measure, Amendment 64, permitting the use and regulation of marijuana in the state. Since then, Colorado Springs has seen a surge in cannabis consumption clubs, which allow residents to use cannabis and socialize in private.

However, nine cannabis clubs in the area received cease-and-desist letters from the Colorado Springs clerk’s office for violating the city’s ban on selling, trading, giving, distributing or transferring the drug.

In addition to marijuana, several drugs are causing problems in the city. The 2003 Colorado Drug Threat Assessment found that Colorado Springs was a regional distribution center for multiple illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA.

Driving while intoxicated has been a problem in the area. Thirty-nine percent of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in El Paso County in 2010 involved an alcohol-impaired driver, according to the El Paso County Health Indicators 2012 report.

The assessment also showed that 17.5 percent of adults in El Paso County were current tobacco smokers from 2009 to 2010. Among El Paso residents, current smoking is most common among people aged 18 to 34, men, adults with less than a high school education and those living in homes with an annual income of less than $25,000.

Government Initiatives to Fight Substance Abuse in Colorado Springs

Police departments, sheriff’s offices and local governments near Colorado Springs work to raise awareness about addiction and reduce the amount of illicit substances on the street.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department provide drug and alcohol abuse educational programs for youth. The D.A.R.E. program is run by specialized resource officers who visit schools to teach children good decision-making skills and ways to avoid drugs, violence and crime.

Pueblo County Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus provides an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program to college students and community members. The program raises awareness about the effects of drugs and alcohol, encourages good behavior and discourages underage drinking.

Southern Colorado Drug Task Force

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Southern Colorado Drug Task Force works with police departments in Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Florence and sheriff’s offices in Pueblo and El Paso County. The task force targets drug trafficking organizations in the southern part of the state.

Colorado Springs Metro Vice, Narcotics & Intelligence Division

The goal of the Metro Vice, Narcotics and Intelligence Division of the Colorado Springs Police Department is to prevent the possession and distribution of illicit drugs in Colorado Springs. The agency works with El Paso and Teller counties to decrease drug trafficking in the area.

Reintegration & Recovery Program

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office’s Reintegration and Recovery Program rehabilitates people who have been incarcerated for drug-related crimes. The program provides treatment, education and therapy for people with substance use disorders and works with aftercare services to reintegrate people into society.

College Services

The higher-education institutions in the Colorado Springs area promote drug awareness and education to both college students and community members. The schools also provide counseling and wellness services for students suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers students, faculty and staff educational, counseling and treatment services related to alcohol or drug abuse. Several resources are available through Student Support Services, the CU Benefits Office and the Department of Public Safety.

Colorado State University-Pueblo

The Colorado State University-Pueblo Student Counseling Center offers psychological counseling for students suffering from a variety of mental health issues, including drug or alcohol addiction.

Pikes Peak Community College

The Pikes Peak Community College Counseling and Resource Center provides six free counseling sessions for students suffering from a variety of mental health issues. Topics treated during therapy include depression, anxiety, anger, alcohol abuse and drug addiction.

Pueblo Community College

The Pueblo Community College Health Center offers intervention and referral services to students suffering from drug or alcohol addiction. The PCC Health Clinic also works with community organizations to provide educational and awareness programs.

Community Support Services for Colorado Springs Residents

Pueblo, Teller and El Paso counties are home to several community-based anti-drug organizations. The organizations work to raise awareness about drug and alcohol-related issues throughout southern Colorado.

Build a Generation

The Teller County Build a Generation program works to determine the amount of drug-related risk exposure to children in the county, identify community resources that can negate that risk and implement a comprehensive plan to promote healthy lifestyles among Teller County youth.

One Community Pueblo

One Community Pueblo is a coalition that focuses on improving the lives of children in Pueblo County. The organization aims to reduce risk factors for drug addiction and increase the number of protective factors for children and parents in the community.

High School Traffic Safety Challenge

The statewide DRIVE SMART program encourages safe driving practices across Colorado. In Colorado Springs, the organization’s High School Traffic Safety Program aims to reduce distracted driving and educate students about the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

The Colorado Springs affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving hosts regular speaking events at multiple locations — the Colorado Springs Senior Center, St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City, the Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation Center and the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. The organization advocates against driving under the influence.

El Paso & Teller Counties Alliance for Drug Endangered Children

The El Paso and Teller County chapter of the Alliance for Drug Endangered Children aims to reduce the impact of drug abuse on families in the communities. The organization works with local law enforcement to provide prevention, education and intervention services in the area.

Rise Above Colorado

Rise Above Colorado, a statewide drug prevention program, has implemented an anti-prescription drug abuse initiative in southern Colorado. The organization visits local high schools to warn students about the dangers of prescription drugs and teach them how to avoid abusing the substances.

Colorado Prevention Partnership for Success

The state of Colorado’s Prevention Partnership for Success works to reduce binge drinking behavior among Latino youth in four counties in Colorado, including Pueblo County. The partnership’s “I’m Going Places” campaign and Young Leaders Society discourages underage drinking among Latino youth.

Springs Recovery Connection

Springs Recovery Connection is a nonprofit organization which provides education and mentorship to individuals in recovery. The organization comprises Colorado Springs citizens who advocate for policy changes regarding addiction, provide support for families and work to end the negative stigma associated with addiction.

Starting a Career in El Paso County, Colorado

Pikes Peak Workforce Center

The Pikes Peak Workforce Center assists local residents with career planning, job exploration, financial coaching, resume writing and computer training. The facility also offers hiring events, workshops and services for veterans and young adults. The Opportunity Act Youth Program uses counseling, skills training and supportive services to help low-income young adults reach their educational and professional goals.

Discover Goodwill Southern and Western Colorado

Discover Goodwill’s Career Development Center partners with El Paso County Department of Human Services to train job seekers and connect them with employment. The Milestones Case Management Program includes subprograms that cater to the parental and employment needs of fathers, pregnant women and parents with small children. The organization also helps people in this program find reliable childcare services.

Mt. Carmel Center of Excellence

Mt. Carmel Center of Excellence provides transitional services to military members, veterans and their families. These services involve resume writing, counseling and group workshops. The organization also uses mock interviews and assessments to assist these individuals in improving their interview skills.

Women’s Resource Agency

The Women’s Resource Agency teaches teen girls and women the skills needed to live financially independent lives. Its personal development program provides monthly workshops that cover topics intended to increase self-esteem, personal image and growth. The professional development programs include resume coaching, computer skills training and mock interviews.

REACH Pikes Peak

REACH provides supportive services intended to improve the lives of low-income Pikes Peak area residents. The Transitions to Independence Program provides educational assistance, job coaching and other services to low-income, under-educated or under-employed people.

Give Back to Your Community

Anti-drug and alcohol abuse organizations in southern Colorado need help to provide educational, awareness and treatment services. You can give back to the community by volunteering your time to help those recovering from addiction.

Pueblo Youth Project

The Pueblo Youth project teaches middle and high school students in Pueblo County to avoid risky activities like abusing drugs and alcohol. The organization needs volunteers who are willing to perform tasks like handing out fliers, compiling educational material and serving on the organization’s advisory council or board of directors.

Colorado Springs Teen Court

The Colorado Springs Teen Court provides criminal justice services for teens who get in trouble with the law. The court often sentences their peers to educational classes and awareness programs aimed at deterring criminal behavior in the future. More than 200 teens volunteer to serve on the court every year.