July 23, 2009
In this issue:
A Dangerous New Product: Candy Tobacco
With hundreds of thousands of smokers dying each year, tobacco companies are expanding their product line to smokeless tobacco products that target a new batch of customers: young people.
A recent Portland Family Magazine guest op-ed by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley talks about a dangerous new product, tobacco candy, currently being test marketed in three cities across the country, including Portland.
Click here to read the entire op-ed.
New Shoulder Tapping Prevention Campaign
A campaign, targeting parents and businesses, got underway this month to raise awareness about shoulder tapping. Shoulder tapping, also known as "Hey Mister," is when youth ask adults, usually strangers, to buy alcohol for them.
The campaign is part of the statewide Face it, Parents underage drinking prevention initiative and coordinated by Oregon Partnership, the Department of Human Services, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. The campaign includes posters, articles, radio public service announcements and other materials.
Click here for more information.
Oregonian Letter to the Editor: Help for Veterans in Crisis
A recent letter to the editor from Leslie Storm, Crisis Lines Director at Oregon Partnership, talks about the growing need for help for veterans in crisis: "The increasing number of calls from military members, veterans and their families to the state's crisis lines underscores that the need for support and care is great. In just the last few months, Oregon Partnership's trained volunteers and staff have fielded hundreds of calls from veterans who show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, or who struggle with substance abuse."
Click here to read the entire letter.
New Report - Addiction Treatment and Health Care Costs
A new report, titled Unforeseen Benefits: Addiction Treatment Reduces Health Care Costs, was released by the Open Society Institute.
Improving America's health care system, creating a healthier country, and containing costs will take a range of interdependent solutions. One essential solution involves treating Americans who are addicted to alcohol and drugs. This report demonstrates how addiction treatment will contribute to containing costs in reforming America's health system.
Click here to read the report.
Don't Miss the 3rd Annual Instituto Latino
Don't miss the 3rd Annual Instituto Latino! The two-day event will take place on August 20-21, 2009, at the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach, located at 909 N. Hayden Island Drive in Portland. The cost is $75.00. The Institute will be presented in Spanish only.
The Instituto Latino provides training at a professional level to all who work in addictions and mental health in the Spanish language as well as offer a compassionate, efficient and culturally appropriate service.
Click here for more information.
8th Annual Hands Across the Bridge 2009
Celebrate Recovery Month at the 8th annual Hands Across the Bridge 2009 event. Span the I-5 Bridge with hundreds of supporters to celebrate recovery and kick off National Recovery Month. Be a part of hope, sharing, and union. Hands Across the Bridge takes place on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009, beginning at 10 a.m.
Directly following Hands Across the Bridge is Oxfest 2009, a one-day musical celebration by those in recovery from addiction. Oxfest includes multiple bands, food vendors, family activities, a waterslide, a bouncy castle, a raffle and a multitude of other games. More that 2000 people are expected to attend. Oxfest is free for anyone in recovery and their families and supporters. Oxfest is sponsored by the 400 Oxford Houses of Oregon and Washington and their related chapters and state associations.
Click here for more information.
Do you have information to share with your prevention colleagues around the state? Please send to: dslifman@orpartnership.org.
Thank you for your continued support of this publication.
