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Colorado Drug Overdose Rates Above National Average

americanaddictionnetwork.com

Colorado ranks among the best states in the nation when it comes to education, a booming economy, and the well-being of its residents. But there’s another factor where Colorado rates above average, and this one isn’t something to be proud of. Deaths from drug overdoses in Colorado are above national rates, reports Colorado Public Radio. And some counties are among the nation’s highest.

In fact, drug overdose death rates have increased in every county in the state except for one. In Eastern Colorado, Baca, Las Animas and Bent County were among the worst in the state. In a dozen Colorado countries, drug overdose deaths topped more than 20 per 100,000 residents. Seven of the top counties are in southern Colorado.

The other three are along the urban Front Range: Adams County, Denver County, and Pueblo County.  Nearly 900 Coloradans died from drug overdoses in 2014.

Colorado Health Institute