Denver, Colorado’s Department of Public Health & Environment created its adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Education, and Prevention (STEP) Program to respond to the growing need for therapeutic support for young adults struggling with substance use. Since its inception in the early 2020s, the program has treated hundreds of young people suffering from mental health and substance use disorders.

The evidence-based program is available to anyone under the age of 21: (1) through school or parental referrals; (2) because they were seen in an emergency department and referred to the program; or (3) through a court-ordered diversion program by a juvenile court judge. STEP  offers weekly individual, family, and group therapy as well as support to the participants’ parents. It also provides medication for opioid use and mental health disorders.

The STEP program has staff in 11 public high schools in Denver as well as a centrally located main office in downtown Denver. Once a student graduates from high school, he or she may continue his or her treatment at the main office. The program pays for transportation to and from treatment appointments and provides incentives, such as Visa gift cards for participants whose urine drug tests come back negative for any substances.

For more information, logon to https://www.denverhealth.org/services/behavioral-health/addiction-services/adolescent-substance-abuse-treatment.