New Laws Designed To Lessen Opioid Crisis In Colorado
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4)- More attention is being placed on opioid abuse in Colorado now that Gov. John Hickenlooper has signed five bills into law that address the crisis.
Hickenlooper signed the bills into law in Wheat Ridge on Monday.
Officials say in Colorado, opioids have killed 5,000 people from 2000 to 2016. Lawmakers hope the new legislation will lower that number.
"It can happen to anyone. Opioid addiction is an affliction that comes out of nowhere," said Hickenlooper. "It's impossible to predict."
The new laws will restrict the number of opioid pills a health care professional can prescribe and fund opioid addiction programs.
