The Oregon Substance Use Disorder Research Committee (OrSUD) today released the results of a nearly year-long study of how Oregon serves residents with substance use disorders (SUDs). The committee’s report, titled “Substance Use Disorder –Improving Prevention & Treatment in Oregon,” details the dire effects that drug and alcohol misuse have on Oregon and offers attainable recommendations to help Oregonians who suffer from an SUD and ensure that fewer people become addicted in the first place.
“Treating SUD as a moral failing rather than a controllable disease creates a stigma that drives use of addictive substances underground and deters people from seeking treatment,” the report states. It is available online at https://stateofreform.com/featured/2017/11/oregon-substance-use-disorder-research-committee-releases-recommendations.
Although the opioid epidemic attracted national attention, with the president’s declaration of an opioid national health emergency, and state attention, with the appointment of an opioid task force by Oregon’s governor, Oregon also has a massive alcohol misuse challenge. Approximately 1-in-10 Oregonians suffers from an SUD. The destructive impact on lives and families is incalculable, even in addition to the $6 billion annual economic cost to our state.
“Two-thirds of Oregonians have a friend or family members suffering from an SUD,” said OrSUD committee chair Nick Bouwes. “A compassionate society cannot stand by while this disease destroys lives and families.”
The OrSUD committee reviewed dozens of medical and policy papers and interviewed more than twenty exerts, including individuals in recovery and representatives of Oregon’s diverse communities. Based on that research, the committee makes 11 recommendations. Among them:
Oregon should better fund early childhood interventions, especially using evidence-based school prevention programs, as the most cost-effective means of combatting the SUD epidemic over time.
Create of a statewide SUD hotline so Oregonians have a rapid entry point into support.
Implement and monitor the success of early diversion programs for people arrested for drug possession. The state should also make defelonization a priority.
Lawmakers should identify a dedicated funding stream sufficient to meet the state’s needs for SUD prevention, treatment and recovery support services.
“If Oregon invests in SUD prevention and treatment now, the fiscal, health and community benefits over time will be tremendous,” said OrSUD committee member Dr. Samuel Metz. “Lawmakers, medical professionals, educators, community leaders and law enforcement all have a part to play.”
The OrSUD committee members thank State of Reform and the Lund Report for publishing their report. Through them, will reach tens of thousands of health care professionals, policymakers and other people engaged in changing how Oregon and the nation provide health care. The conclusions of the report have been endorsed by the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon, MetroPlus Association of Addiction Peer Professionals, and 4th Dimension Youth Recovery.
The OrSUD committee began as a research committee of the City Club of Portland and conducted its work following the club’s research methodology.
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Contact: Chris Trejbal [phone, email];
Dr. Samuel Metz (503) 754-1320 [email protected]
