Too many people in Denver are caught in a cycle of addiction, and there are too many people living on the streets. Fentanyl, methamphetamine and other synthetic opioids are causing an unprecedented crisis in our community, contributing to our unhoused population. These deadly substances have led to countless tragedies, with too many people trapped in the relentless cycle of addiction.

My primary objective is to aggressively combat the distributors and manufacturers of these lethal drugs. I am committed to deploying every resource and tool available to prosecute and hold accountable those who spread this poison throughout our community. 

While my focus remains steadfast on prosecuting dealers, we must differentiate between those who distribute and those trapped by addiction. Low-level users need help getting out of addiction, and that means the DA’s office should collaborate with citywide efforts that offer the treatment and support they so desperately need. But enforcement plays a key part in ensuring those public health and substance abuse programs are effective, and I will not shy away from taking the steps necessary to make them effective. Together, we can work to heal our community.