March 29, 2018
Gov. Kate Brown Declares Addiction is a
Public Health Crisis in Oregon
Signs legislation requiring the development of a comprehensive addiction recovery strategic plan
Portland—Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order today declaring addiction had reached the level of a public health crisis in Oregon. Additionally, she signed legislation (HB 4137) requiring the state to develop a comprehensive addiction recovery strategic plan no later than July 2020.
Prior to signing the Executive Order the Governor said:
"Addiction is an issue that unites us all, as we feel the impacts of substance abuse every day, either through personal struggle, or through our families, friends, and colleagues. We must break through the barriers of shame to provide the best possible treatments first and the most effective assistance now."
During the signing ceremony, Oregon Recovers Director Mike Marshall was invited to speak and said:
"By issuing this Executive Order declaring a public health crisis and by signing these two critical pieces of legislation, the Governor of Oregon has issued a clarion call for everyone to get on board with transforming Oregon into the “Recovery State.”
After the ceremony, Brent Canode, chair of Oregon Recovers stated:
"I think we'll look back on today's bill signing as that pivotal moment when collectively we said "enough is enough" and set a new course for the transformation of Oregon's fractured addiction support system."
HB 4137, authored and sponsored by Rep. Tawna Sanchez (D), requires the Oregon Alcohol & Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) to develop a framework for a strategic plan by September 15th, 2018; issue an RFP for outside consultants to lead the planning process by November 1, 2018; and for the ADPC to submit the first-ever strategic plan to the legislature by July 1, 2020.
Additionally, the Governor signed HB 4143, which she introduced to the legislature, and which focuses on measures to combat the opioid epidemic in the state.
Almost 10% of Oregon's population suffer from addiction issues; Oregon consistently ranks last in the nation in responding to these high rates of addiction; and addiction costs the Oregon taxpayer more than $5.9 billion annually.
For background information on the importance of today's actions click here.
Oregon Recovers is an inclusive statewide coalition comprised of people in recovery–and their friends and family—uniting to transform Oregon's fractured and incomplete addiction recovery system into a recovery-based, continuum-of-care that recognizes addiction as a chronic disease requiring a life time of services. More info: www.OregonRecovers.org.
