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Behavioral Health and Substance Use Prevention

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Fentanyl Test Strips

What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Even in small doses, it can be deadly. Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips.

What are fentanyl test strips?
Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables) within 5 minutes. FTS provide people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply so they can take steps to reduce risk of overdose. Even if the test is negative, take caution as test strips might not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs, like carfentanil.

Get instructions on how to test drugs for Fentanyl.

Naloxone

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time. Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, because of opioid overdose. More than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved. Naloxone is simple to use and small to carry.

Get more information on signs of opioid overdose and how and when to use naloxone for an opioid overdose.

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Both Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips are available for pick up at the health department. Stop by either location or call for more information.

Las Animas County: (719) 846-2213
412 Benedicta Ave, Trinidad CO 81082
Huerfano County: (719) 738-2650
119 E 5th Street, Walsenburg CO 81089
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Medication Take Back and Disposal

Medicine take back locations are available to the public as a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs. Before disposing of prescription medicines, be sure to remove all personal information on pill bottle labels and medicine packaging.  All of your medicines dropped off at the take back locations will be destroyed.

Medication take back locations in Las Animas and Huerfano Counties:

  • Mt. San Rafael Hospital - 410 Benedicta Avenue, Trinidad, CO 81082
  • Safeway - 457 W Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082
  • Huerfano Co. Sheriff's Office - 500 S. Albert Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089

Learn more about Colorado’s medication take back program.

Help Reduce the Stigma around Substance Use Disorder

  1. Understand that SUD is a medical condition and that there are evidence-based treatment options to help people get better.
  2. Know what help is available in your community for yourself or a loved one:
    • Call the community health nurse: Trinidad: (719) 846-2213; Walsenburg: (719) 738-2650
    • In crisis? Call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or Text "TALK" to 38255
  3. Substance use disorder (SUD) is highly stigmatized; therefore, use supportive language and educate yourselves and others on the negative impacts of stigma.
  4. Read more about substance use disorder, treatment, and prevention by visiting some of the following links:
  5. Learn how you can carry Narcan, a medication to reverse an opioid overdose, and save a life: Free Naloxone Education
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Recovery is possible.

SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Hope and resiliency are essential to recovery. Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness and managing setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience becomes a key component of recovery.

Dimensions of Recovery

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Free STI Testing Available

Substance use, especially injection drug use (IDU) is closely associated with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Getting regularly tested gives you powerful information to keep you and your community healthy.

We are now providing free HIV, Hepatitis C and Syphilis testing. Test results are provided immediately. Call to schedule your appointment in Trinidad or Walsenburg today.

Las Animas County: (719) 846-2213
412 Benedicta Ave, Trinidad CO 81082
Huerfano County: (719) 738-2650
119 E 5th Street, Walsenburg CO 81089

Communicable Disease Prevention Program

It is important to recognize the causal relationship between communicable diseases and substance use. As part of the Communicable Disease Prevention Program, we provide:

  • Education and information about communicable diseases
  • Communicable disease investigation
  • Measures to control the spread of communicable disease

To report a communicable disease, please call (719) 846-2213 and speak to a Public Health Nurse or Epidemiologist.

Communicable Disease Prevention