Looking for addiction news? Go to the addiction experts.
Avenues Recovery Center is a drug and alcohol rehab in Colorado with fifteen locations across seven states. Our state blog offers the latest on all addiction-related news in Colorado, keeping you updated on the rise and fall of current events in your area.
In a bold move to combat the devastating fentanyl crisis, the Adams County Fire Department in Colorado has unveiled a fire engine like no other. Fire Engine #11, the only fully wrapped vehicle in the U.S. with anti-fentanyl messages in both English and Spanish, aims to raise awareness and save lives in a community overwhelmed by opioid overdoses.
The Denver Gazette noted that the engine, which proudly displays stark messages such as “Five out of every 10 pills contains a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl” and “One pill can kill,” is not just a fire engine—it’s a mobile billboard designed to spark critical conversations about fentanyl’s dangers. It also features a QR code on the side, giving people the opportunity to learn more about fentanyl and the risks of street drugs.
For Lt. Ben Ramos, the creation of this special fire engine is personal. His brother, Anthony Ramos, tragically passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2019, after taking just one pill. Despite first responders’ best efforts, including the use of Narcan, Anthony’s life could not be saved. Lt. Ramos hopes the truck will help families have difficult conversations about substance abuse, something he wishes he had done before losing his brother.
Adams County has been grappling with an explosion in fentanyl overdoses over the past several years, a crisis that has deeply affected first responders. Lt. Paramedic Charlie Koyle, a 12-year veteran of the department, is all too familiar with the toll fentanyl is taking. “It’s insanity,” Koyle said, reflecting on how heroin overdoses, which were once a regular part of his job, have been replaced by fentanyl-related incidents. Even more troubling is the fact that the fentanyl overdoses he responds to often involve repeat patients. After administering Narcan to revive someone from a fentanyl overdose, Koyle says, many of them go right back to using the drug, often leading to a cycle of life-threatening situations.
In addition to the rise in overdoses, fentanyl itself is becoming more potent, meaning it takes more time and more Narcan to revive a person who has overdosed. The challenges facing first responders are mounting, but Engine #11 is a step in a new direction. By wrapping the vehicle with these bold messages, the fire department hopes to educate the public and encourage people to take the risks of fentanyl seriously.
The situation in Colorado has become dire. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Rocky Mountain Division recently broke its record for the most fentanyl pills seized in the state, with approximately 2.7 million pills confiscated so far in 2024. These counterfeit pills, often marketed as Oxycodone, contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. While fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Colorado have slightly decreased from 1,043 deaths in 2022-2023 to 962 in 2023-2024, the numbers remain staggering.
Despite these efforts, the fentanyl epidemic is far from over. In addition to fentanyl, methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths have risen in Colorado. While there are some signs of hope, such as a slight decrease in fentanyl deaths, experts are cautious, acknowledging that the data is not yet finalized and could change.
First responders in Adams County have become heroes in this ongoing battle. The majority of lives they save—about 90%—are the result of overdose rescues, and many of those are due to fentanyl. To honor their life-saving efforts, paramedics and firefighters proudly wear a special pin on their uniforms, signifying the lives they’ve saved.
“We’re hopeful this suggests the beginning of a downward trend,” said Kirk Bol, a statistician at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “But the ultimate goal is zero.”
While the work to combat fentanyl and other drugs continues, Engine #11 stands as a symbol of the ongoing fight, educating the public and reminding everyone of the devastating effects of fentanyl, hoping to prevent the next overdose before it occurs.
If you or your loved one are struggling with addiction, reach out to Avenues Recovery for help before it is too late. With the right tools and support, you can and will overcome your addiction. Join our vibrant recovery community, and recover in our safe and supportive rehab center. Our expert staff have helped thousands of individuals reach sobriety, and they can help you too. Contact us today to begin your journey to the addiction- free future you deserve.