April 11, 2018
Portland—Oregon Recovers applauds the appointment by Governor Kate Brown of Dr. Reginald Richardson to the position of Executive Director of the state Alcohol & Drug Policy Commission (ADPC). The ADPC was recently charged by the Governor with producing a framework for a comprehensive addiction recovery strategic plan by September 15, 2018 and completing the plan in time for the 2020 legislative session.
“Dr. Richardson brings the skill set and stature needed in the leadership of the ADPC,” said Mike Marshall, Director of Oregon Recovers. “This is yet another strong action by Governor Brown as she leads the transformation of Oregon’s current fractured addiction recovery system into a recovery-based, continuum of care which recognizes addiction as a chronic disease requiring a lifetime of attention.”
Untreated addiction costs the state $5.9 billion annually and almost 9% of the state’s population suffers from the disease of addiction. On March 27th, Governor Kate Brown issued an Executive Order declaring addiction had reached the level of a public health crisis. While the opioid epidemic has received national attention, alcohol and methamphetamines (crystal meth) remain the two primary drugs of choice in Oregon.
“Given the time frame in which the ADPC must produce a comprehensive addiction recovery plan, elevating Dr. Richardson into this leadership role will prove hugely beneficial to the families of Oregon. It’s exciting to have someone of his caliber take the reins of the Commission,” said Brent Canode, Executive Director of the Alano Club of Portland and Chair of Oregon Recovers.
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.
