Boulder City Council discuses impacts of meth in community – Boulder…

The Boulder City Council discussed the impacts of methamphetamine in the community at a Thursday study session, including hearing about the many challenges of addressing addiction in the homeless community.

The council also heard more about the issue of meth contamination in public spaces and affordable housing units. The Boulder Public Library closed for three weeks after testing in December found “higher than acceptable” methamphetamine levels in restroom exhaust vents. The library remediation cost the city about $153,000.

The library’s bathrooms re-opened about two weeks ago with restricted access and a guard posted at the door.

Bill Hayes, Boulder County Public Health air quality coordinator, said the health department supported the city’s decision to close the library after contamination was found based on state requirements. But, he said, the state’s standards are aimed at residences — and the county doesn’t believe the closure was necessary from a public health standpoint.

“These standards don’t really work in a real world situation in a public building,” he said, noting brief exposure to residue in a public building carries a much lower risk than continued exposure to secondhand smoke by housing neighbors.

Along with providing feedback to the state about the remediation requirements, he said, the county is investigating routine, cost effective measures with a focus on touchable surfaces to address potential contamination in public spaces.

Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde described recovery from long-term methamphetamine use as “a steep hill to climb,” with long-term treatment required. In the homeless population, many meth users use other substances, including fentanyl, and may have underlying mental health conditions. There’s also a high rate of trauma and traumatic brain injury in that population, according to city staff members.

While chances of recovery are much better if a person is housed, according to city staff members, most landlords aren’t willing to rent to people with a history of meth use. The cost of remediation after meth contamination is high, while the behavior of users is often unpredictable and aggressive.

Megan Newton, Boulder Health and Human Services homelessness policy adviser, said meth and fentanyl addiction is the largest barrier to stable housing, while “the likelihood for sobriety is nil” for those surrounded by drug use when living on the streets.

City Councilmember Tara Winer said she would like to see the city focus on transitional housing for those with addiction issues “so we don’t keep doing what really isn’t working that well.”

“We’re putting people that are addicted in affordable housing,” she said. “It’s creating havoc.”

Rivera-Vandermyde said the city’s partnership with Tribe Recovery Homes to open a sober living home in the city is one potential solution to the housing challenges. The home is expected to serve eight to 10 people. The city does not plan to publicly disclose the location of the recovery home, a decision that has angered some residents.

Other strategies she listed include police efforts to reduce the amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl coming into the community, adding mental health services, looking for new ways to treat addiction and providing transitional supportive housing in the future at a new homeless day services center.

“We are adapting and working with partners and trying to come up with ways to support those going through this horrible addiction,” Rivera-Vandermyde said.