behavioral health

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SHUTTERSTOCK

One state looks to get kids in crisis out of the ER — and back home

A handful of states and counties are testing ways to provide urgent mental care outside the ER and reduce hospital boarding.

Feb 16

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon cities, counties say Measure 110 blew a hole in their budgets

An effort by local governments to get lawmakers to reroute tens of millions of dollars currently paying for addiction services has service providers up in arms.

Feb 9

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Oregon lawmakers plan to put more money into housing and programs that can help people before they need treatment at the Oregon State Hospital. | COURTESY OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Lawmakers plan to provide more resources for Oregon’s beleaguered behavioral health system

National reports consistently rank Oregon as having among the highest rates of people experiencing mental health and addiction issues.

Feb 9

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From left, Cheryle A. Kennedy, Chairwoman for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Kelly Rowe, Health and Wellness Director for the Tribe; and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane Rosenbaum cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Great Circle Recovery at 3580 SE 82nd Ave. in Portland on Feb. 6, 2023. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

New clinic in Portland poised to treat fentanyl addiction in youths and adults

Unlike most providers, Great Circle Recovery’s opioid treatment program will offer methadone to youths, which can better treat fentanyl withdrawal.

Feb 7
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YEONHEE LEE/PIXABAY

Legislation seeks stable funding for new 988 crisis hotline

The bill would establish a new cell phone tax to fund a hotline that advocates and lawmakers say is key to rebuilding Oregon’s mental health services. 

Feb 7
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BRC Recovery, a private equity-backed addiction treatment company, bought Nashville Recovery Center in 2021. Private equity investment has driven much of the recent activity in substance abuse treatment, an industry that is highly fragmented and has historically had few guardrails to ensure patients are getting appropriate care. | BLAKE FARMER FOR KHN.

Some addiction treatment centers turn big profits by scaling back care

A model of charging high patient fees without guaranteeing access to evidence-based care makes addiction care attractive to private equity firms.

Feb 1

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Peer support specialists working for Malheur County offered Narcan, an overdose-reversing drug, to people stopping by a day shelter in Ontario on Oct. 13, 2022. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Legislation to slow opioid overdoses draws broad support

Proponents showed up in force to support legislation that would clear legal hurdles preventing wider distribution of naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversing drug.

Jan 31
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | RENAUDE HATSEDAKIS

Changes to Measure 110 likely this legislative session

Key Oregon legislators outline areas of the drug decriminalization law they hope to improve upon.

Jan 19
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Insufficient data and reporting pose greatest risk to Measure 110, audit finds

Oregon Secretary of State auditors say it will be impossible to gauge the law’s success without improvements.

Jan 19

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A box of Narcan, an-opioid reversing drug, before it was distributed at a day shelter in Ontario, Ore. on Oct. 13, 2022. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Bills to make naloxone more accessible seek to slow opioid fatalities in Oregon

The medication is effective in reversing opioid overdoses, but administrative hurdles prevent it from being more available. 

Jan 17
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