Opioid awareness campaign launches

Savannah Putman sharing her recovery story during the launch of the Douglas County Opioid Council public awareness campaign last month.

In September, the Douglas County Opioid Council (DCOC) launched a public awareness campaign designed to reduce stigma and strengthen community awareness about opioid use.

“As a longtime Castle Rock resident, it was important to me that this prevention and awareness campaign be informed by people in recovery,” said Savannah Putman, DCOC member and director of grants management and operational support with the HardBeauty Foundation, a statewide recovery organization headquartered in Castle Rock.

Savannah and her husband, a third-generation Castle Rock native, are both in recovery––recovery from shame, despair and the loss of purpose and hope. “We no longer use substances to numb the pain of daily life. Like many families, ours has relied on the resources this community provides,” she said. “We are living proof that yes, people do recover.”

In 2021, Colorado joined a national settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Douglas County, along with its municipalities, formed Region 12 to oversee funding priorities and develop a strategic plan for addressing opioid-related challenges and create programs that prevent addiction, support treatment and recovery, and promote long-term wellness in our community.

“Opioid use often hides in the shadows, but its impact is felt across every community, including Douglas County,” said DCOC co-chair and Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon. “By launching this campaign, we are amplifying the voices of those with lived experience to break down stigma and make it clear that recovery is possible.”

The campaign includes personal stories shared on YouTube and other social media platforms, as well as a print campaign. Future campaigns will focus on struggles surrounding opioid use for parents and kids. For more information, visit douglas.co.us/douglas-county-opioid-council.