“PBS NewsHour,” the nightly newscast seen on hundreds of public television stations across the United States, on Wednesday evening spotlighted The Denver Post’s four-part special report on the surge in alcohol-related deaths in Colorado.
The Post’s Meg Wingerter, who authored the series, joined “NewsHour” correspondent William Brangham to discuss what she learned after spending months reporting on why so many Coloradans have been dying from drinking in recent years, and what the state could do in an effort to reduce the number of lives lost.
You can watch the full segment in the video player posted above — and read the four-part series via the links below.
Coloradans die from the effects of alcohol at one of the highest rates in the country, but, in comparison to fentanyl, the state’s reaction has been a shrug. Legislators haven’t seriously considered measures to discourage drinking, and voters expanded access to alcohol in grocery stores.
Experts say raising state alcohol taxes also would make more money available for programs aimed at preventing unhealthy drinking and to enforce the state’s liquor laws. Currently, the department charged with regulating Colorado’s alcohol outlets can’t afford to fill all its open positions.
Part 3: Beer and wine became more widely available in Colorado even as drinking deaths rose
Five years ago, a workgroup tasked with finding ways to reduce Colorado’s rate of drinking-related deaths issued a simple recommendation: cut back on when and where people can buy alcohol. Since then, however, the state has only expanded access to alcohol.
Part 4: Alcohol addiction treatment is available in Colorado, but people struggle to get the help they need
Despite the availability of addiction programs, people who are concerned about their own drinking or a loved one’s don’t always know where to turn. Treatment options may not meet patients’ preferences, aren’t easily accessible in certain parts of the state, or don’t necessarily accept all forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.
