Intermountain Health Joins Colorado Community to Bring Awareness to Overdose Deaths
Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, in partnership with Mesa County Opioid Response Group, will build a memorial flag display at Lincoln Park to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, Aug. 31.
The event is a global recognition aimed at raising awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises and reducing the stigma of a drug-related death.
Community members are encouraged to visit the 1,765 flags displayed at Lincoln Park in remembrance of the Colorado lives lost to drug overdose in 2025.
Among the purple flags, 29 white flags will be specifically dedicated to those who have died in Mesa County. In 2025, there was a 10% increase in total overdose deaths in Colorado, while there was a 17% decrease in Mesa County.
Representatives from various community organizations which are part of Mesa County Opioid Response Group will provide information and resources to help individuals and families who might be affected by drug dependence.
Across Colorado, 66.6% of the overdose deaths in 2025 involved an opioid (1,175). Among opioid-related overdose deaths, 83.4% (980) involved fentanyl.
While this number is down from its peak in 2023 (1,273 opioid overdose deaths of which 1,097 involving fentanyl), it is the second most deadly year on record for overdoses in the state of Colorado, and this year posted the largest number of deaths due to methamphetamine (850).
“In Mesa County in 2025, 29 of our fellow citizens died from an overdose or accidental poisoning with an opioid or illicit substance,” said Ryan Jackman, MD, Intermountain Health senior medical director for behavioral health. “Forty-five percent of our overdoses included methamphetamine, 31% involved an opioid, most commonly fentanyl, and 35% included alcohol. More than half of these deaths occurred from individuals using multiple substances. Ninety percent of these deaths were accidental. This matches my experience as an addiction doctor; people don’t choose to overdose. Equally important, their family and friends were not planning on losing a loved one to overdose.”
“A common misconception is that people at risk of overdose are easy to identify. They’re not. Their family members will tell you. A person can be at high risk because they returned to use, because the drug they use is not what they thought they were using, or because something else with their health has changed. The reality is that overdose prevention should be part of routine, compassionate healthcare and not reserved only for people who fit a stereotype.”
Dr. Jackson said this highlights the continued need for raising awareness in Mesa County about substance use, substance use disorder, and overdose which include accidental poisoning from fentanyl.
“This year’s International Overdose Awareness Day display will aim to allow people to honor those we’ve lost and draw increased attention to a very treatable condition and the resources and efforts being made in Mesa County to do just that,” Dr. Jackman said.
Grand Junction Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic works to increase treatment for substance use disorders. The clinic provides individuals with outpatient treatment options for substance use disorders, including medication for substance use disorders, naloxone, management of co-occurring mental health conditions, along with individual and group therapy.
The clinic partners with the Colorado Health Network and Colorado Health Institute to improve access to opioid use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery.
The clinic also works closely with regional partners across the Western Slope including Mesa County Opioid Resource Group, the Women’s Recovery Center, the Mesa County Department of Human Services, and the divisions of probation and parole to ensure individuals receive coordinated care and services.
Grand Junction Integrated Addiction Medicine can be reached at 970-298-3801, or by visiting Grand Junction Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic online. People can also call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Media are invited to attend any of the events below:
Aug. 31:
Lincoln Park Flag Placement
6 a.m.
Lincoln Park Resource Table and Media Interview Opportunity:
7-10 a.m. Dr. Ryan Jackman will be available to discuss the risks of overdose, the importance of treatment, and the challenges and benefits of recovery. Media should meet on the west side of Lincoln Park in the grassy field along 12th Street.
CMU Outreach Table, Narcan Training, & Resource Fair
1–3 p.m.
Time of Remembrance
Lincoln Park
7 p.m. to Dusk