By Tiney Ricciardi
The Denver Post
DENVER 鈥� First responders in Denver will soon undergo training designed specifically to bolster psychedelic crisis response and intervention.
The training, developed by the , aims to 鈥渆nhance the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of first responders to quickly recognize and effectively respond to emotional and behavioral crisis incidents involving psilocybin and other psychedelics,鈥� according to this week.
Local law enforcement 鈥� including the Denver Police Department and Denver Sheriff鈥檚 Department, emergency medical service personnel at Denver Health Paramedics and Denver Fire Department, and mental health first responders with the city鈥檚 contractor WellPower 鈥� will receive the Psychedelic Crisis Assessment and Intervention training. Each department will receive a customized version to enhance responder safety and reduce risk and liability when individuals are experiencing a psychedelic-induced crisis.
The curriculum addresses topics such as the psychological and physiological effects of ingesting psilocybin, which is one compound in 鈥渕agic mushrooms鈥�; potential adverse effects of psilocybin; and best practices and techniques for assessing, de-escalating and managing psychedelic crises. It also covers the history and broader use of psychedelics.
The training will be integrated as part of the local agencies鈥� learning management systems and available to existing and future staff.
鈥淲e believe that this program will equip first responders with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle psilocybin-related crises in a safe and compassionate manner and ultimately improve the health and well-being of the community. This program is also a testament to the progressive and visionary leadership of Denver , which has taken a bold step to decriminalize psilocybin and create a model for other cities to follow,鈥� Sara Gael, a former harm reduction officer with MAPS who was instrumental in the program鈥檚 development, said in a statement.
The Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel commissioned MAPS to develop the training after the Mile High City became the nation鈥檚 first to in 2019. It took three years and more than 20 experts, both at MAPS and beyond, to create the curriculum.
鈥淚t represents a giant leap forward for public health and safety with psilocybin and natural medicines in Denver and is a perfect example of what cities can do to better integrate emerging psychedelic policies into their existing infrastructures,鈥� said Kevin Matthews , an advocate and member of the policy review panel, in a statement.
It鈥檚 unclear exactly when training is expected to start, but the roll-out is timely considering Colorado鈥檚 recent drug-reform efforts. In 2022, voters simultaneously five different substances at the ballot box. , meaning it鈥檚 no longer a crime to use, possess, grow and share certain psychedelics.
Additionally, a legal industry around psilocybin-assisted therapy is beginning to take shape, with . Psychedelic therapy centers are expected to open sometime in 2025.
鈥�
漏2024 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Visit at .
Distributed by