Flags were placed at Lincoln Park on Monday, August 31, in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day, memorializing those lost to drug overdoses. Twenty-nine white flags stood on the grassy lawn at the west end of Lincoln Park, 910 N. 12th St., representing local drug overdose deaths from last year. More than 1,700 purple flags flanked them, symbolizing every other Coloradan who died from an overdose in 2025, according to organizers.
The annual awareness event highlighted a hopeful trend for Mesa County residents: overdose deaths declined for a third consecutive year. The county saw 29 overdose deaths last year, down from 44 deaths in 2022. This local success comes despite a statewide increase in overdose fatalities. Local stakeholders suggest this decline could be linked to sustained community investments in addressing substance use disorder. However, they stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in the face of a rapidly changing drug market.
Ryan Jackman, senior medical director for behavioral health at Intermountain Health, stated that continued reduction in overdose deaths depends on the community's awareness of substance use disorder and standard practices of overdose prevention. Jackman emphasized the visibility of the flags, noting that overdose is "one of the more deadly causes of accidental death in our state." He added that just as strides have been made in promoting seatbelt use to prevent fatal car crashes, there are ways to decrease accidental overdose deaths, and the community is part of that solution.
It should be noted that the Mesa County Coroner’s Office reported 30 overdose deaths last year. The discrepancy from the memorial's 29 flags is likely due to organizers using data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which reported 29 deaths in Mesa County last year.
To further boost awareness, various organizations gathered at Lincoln Park on Monday, August 31, to distribute substance use resources, train locals on administering naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication), and conduct outreach at the local university. Lyndall Young, outreach and education coordinator for the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center (WCAHEC), expressed hope that the naloxone training will enhance the success already seen from the county-wide network of 17 free naloxone kiosks. This joint initiative between WCAHEC and Mesa County Public Health launched at the start of 2025 with just six kiosks. According to a July report from Mesa County Public Health, residents have accessed approximately 9,500 free boxes of naloxone in the 16 months since the program began.
Jackman added that overdose education goes beyond teaching naloxone administration. He noted that it's crucial to inform locals that naloxone is not only for people addicted to opioids, as many overdose deaths are more accurately described as fentanyl poisoning. Jackman explained that individuals can be at high risk due to returning to drug use, unknowingly using a different substance than intended, or health changes. He affirmed that overdose prevention should be a routine part of compassionate healthcare, not reserved for specific stereotypes.
James Bruner, pre-trial program supervisor at the Mesa County Criminal Justice Services Department, confirmed his partnership with WCAHEC on other important education initiatives, including informing school classrooms about prescription misuse consequences and emerging risks. Bruner suggested that the local decline in overdose deaths could also be linked to the influx of opioid settlement dollars funding prevention and response efforts, as well as drug supply constraints resulting from substantial seizures by the Western Colorado Drug Task Force. He also cited improved local service availability as a contributing factor.
While Mesa County has offered free, inpatient addiction treatment through Summit View Treatment Services since 2007, Bruner noted a significant push in recent years to reduce barriers to access. He highlighted the introduction of additional treatment agencies, such as Foundations for Life and, more recently, Ava Health, which are readily available to any Mesa County citizen.
However, Kylan Bain, community navigator at Sober And Fun Entertainment (Sober AF), pointed out that the number of available resources is ineffective if the affected population is unaware of them, which traditionally has been the case. Bain noted that in Mesa County, community-building efforts have played a substantial role in bridging this gap. Organizations like Sober AF and Peer180, established around 2016, have grown, empowering individual recovery through social support and a sense of belonging.
Bain acknowledged that there is still room for improvement, stating, "We’re trying to bridge the campus to community gap here, because Colorado Mesa University can be its own island, and they need our resources more than ever." As an example of ongoing work, a "Reel Life" documentary screening and panel discussion is scheduled at CMU’s University Center, 1455 N. 12th St., on September 25.
Jackman reiterated that continued investment and education will become increasingly vital as the drug market and governmental responses evolve daily. He expressed concern within the addiction community about the federal government’s potential scheduling of 7-OH, a highly concentrated opioid-like derivative of kratom, which clinics are frequently treating. Jackman warned that if 7-OH becomes scheduled and unavailable, there is a worrisome chance people may not seek medication for opioid use disorder, potentially leading to a spike in overdoses if they turn to fentanyl or other opioids. Regardless of future changes, Jackman emphasized that the most crucial message is that paths to recovery are available in Mesa County.
