Groups like Oregon Moms for Addiction Recovery and Oregon Recovers came together for a march on Saturday, saying the time is now to tackle addiction statewide.
"Recovery is often in a church basement and defined by people’s anonymity and we’re not going to change anything if we don’t come out and be proud about it. Honestly, I’m 14 years in recovery it is the single largest accomplishment of my life," said Oregon Recovers director Mike Marshall.
This comes as OHSU just released a gap analysis report showing the need across the state. That data shows Oregon is first in percent of the population with illicit drug use disorder, and second for substance use disorder.
"Residential treatment beds were off by 60 percent. That’s both depressing and okay, now we know, and we know where we need those treatment beds. It was both alarming but I’m also just grateful that we now have this," Marshall said.
The report also showed a 94 percent gap between the number of prevention specialists available compared to how many Oregon needs.
This hits close to home for Meggan McEvoy, who sent her daughter out of state for treatment just a few months ago.
"Whenever she was ready she would come to me and say “I need help” and then there was a barrier, whether it’s you need to show up tomorrow, or in three days for the assessment and because she was using opioids when the withdrawal kicks in it’s very hard to hold on to someone, they need to go get well," McEvoy said.
Cathy McInnis marched for her daughter as well. Katie died after a battle with alcoholism in 2020.
"Do we let somebody with heart disease have a heart attack and we just let them lay there and die? No. They can go to an ER and get help and we save their lives," McInnis said.
KATU did share these concerns with Governor Brown's office. Her team responded with a statement, saying they've met with groups like Oregon Recovers to discuss a path forward.
Deputy Communications Director Charles Boyle said the governor is also engaged with the Department of Justice to secure additional funds for treatment and recovery.