Skip to main content

As Portland Faces an Addiction Crisis-There is Hope! On September 28 Local Officials and Community Honor Freedom Award Winners

September 28, 2017

As the nation faces a drug addiction crisis, Portland is also struggling with its own major drug and alcohol addiction problem. Last year opioid overdose killed 3 people each week in the Portland Tri County area.  In Multnomah County, 24% of adults binge or drink heavily, which is the highest percentage in the state.  As we desperately try to solve the problem, there are many individuals and local officials working hard within the community to offer help and hope. This Thursday, September 28th at The Sentinel Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. local business leaders, government officials(see list below) and the community will honor two individuals for their exceptional work in combating this problem and working to end the stigma of addiction.

 

Jay Minor the previous owner of Coral Construction from 1979 to 2006 will receive the Samuel C. Wheeler Freedom Award and Devarshi Bajpai the Medicaid and Addictions Services Senior Manager for Multnomah County will receive the Spirit of Recovery Advocacy Award.  Both men are being honored for their commitment to battling the addiction crisis in the Portland area. They will share their stories of resilience, strength and their commitment to helping Portland and the surrounding community combat this crisis.

 

Local government officials attending.  Keynote speaker for event will be Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran

 

Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury
Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran
Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith
Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz
Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish
Representative Janeen A. Sollman
Representative Mitch Greenlick (and his wife)
House Speaker Tina Kotek
Representative Jeff Reardon
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum

 

De Paul Treatment Centers

De Paul Treatment Centers is a CARF accredited, non-profit organization that is one of Oregon’s oldest and most effective drug and alcohol treatment centers for adults and youth. Our mission is to create freedom from addiction for individuals, families and communities.  Serving the Portland, Oregon Metro area since 1977, we offer a wide variety of care including: medical detox, residential, day treatment, outpatient programs, family therapy, DUII programs and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders. Please visit https://www.depaultreatmentcenters.org for more information.                                

 

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Sandy Parkin at (503) 535-1172 or email at [email protected]

Comments