New mobile health units deployed in rural communities to help fight opioid use crisis
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration along with two other state organizations have partnered up and are now providing mental health and substance abuse help for rural communities like Woodland Park. There are 6 mobile units that visit 30 counties across Colorado.
Wednesday, March 1 was the first time, one mobile health unit stopped here at Ute Pass Regional Health in Woodland Park. It's a resource for people to get a mental health and substance abuse exam, following an increase in these types of cases in Teller County.
Tearing down the stigma of mental and substance abuse in small mountain communities.That's the goal for the state employees running this treatment focused mobile health unit.
"There are communities within Colorado especially rural and frontier that do not have the means, do not have the access to get to the clinics that are available," said Ryan Mueller, the State Opioid Director for Colorado.
When people walk into the mobile units they'll first meet with a nurse or counselor. They will determine the best treatment, including counseling and additional medical help. While there are no doctors on site, but they are available by phone in the unit. And if it's determined that medicine would help they can write you a prescription before you leave. Those who come to the mobile unit for drug abuse, will leave with Narcan which prevents overdose deaths.
"Addiction is a disease of isolation we know that. Thats why covid made addictions so much worse, " said Dana Goldstorm, Clinical Director for Front Range Clinic.
In 2022, Ute Pass Regional Health District in Teller County received 557 behavioral health related calls 59 of those calls were specifically related to substance abuse.
"Particularly with the fentanyl overdose crisis we are seeing record numbers that we've never seen in our states history," added Muller.
Now this new Mobile Health Unit will be traveling to Woodland Park once a week. It will be in the city for five hours for health and substance abuse exams. Folks can walk in or schedule an appointment.
