Oregon's substance use prevention programs get $13 million boost amid 'significant' workforce gap
Oregon's substance use prevention programs will receive a $13.7 million boost amid "significant gaps" in the prevention workforce across the state, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon's substance use prevention programs will receive a $13.7 million boost as the state faces "significant gaps" in its prevention workforce, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
The funding was approved on May 8 by Oregon's Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board and comes as officials say investing in both treatment and prevention programs will help address Oregon's drug crisis.
“The Settlement Board is setting an example for the state with this support of upstream prevention. We cannot treat our way out of the substance use disorder crisis. We must also prevent substance use disorders from occurring in the first place," said Settlement Board Co-Chair Annaliese Dolph.
The funding includes $9.5 million for counties to bolster local prevention programs, along with nearly $3.8 million to increase prevention initiatives in communities facing disproportionate impacts of substance use and overdose. Another $450,000 will go towards training and certifying up to 100 new certified prevention specialists through the Oregon Coalition for Prevention Professionals over two years.
The funding comes as Oregon faces a "significant gap" in its prevention workforce, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
The state health agency highlighted a 2022 Oregon Health and Science University analysis that found a need for nearly 970 certified prevention specialists in Oregon -- a 94% gap compared to the current level of 62 specialists.
OHA said the $9.5 million will support around 18 new county positions and related programs, along with state-level support.
In 2023, OHA directly funded substance use prevention coordinators and related programs across Oregon's federally recognized tribes, counties, and community organizations.
That workforce included approximately 55 Tobacco Prevention and Education Program coordinators, 11 Oregon-funded prevention and education coordinators, 36 Oregon-funded alcohol and other drugs prevention coordinators, and OHA supported 94 culturally specific community organizations, and 10 Regional Health Equity Coalitions, OHA told KOIN 6 News.
OHA said other public and private organizations fund prevention work, but there is no centralized way to track the state's overall prevention workforce.