Local, state and national organizations unite to find solutions.
Portland, Ore. (October 1, 2019) – The RX Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Oregon aims to find solutions to the growing opioid crisis in Oregon – which killed 809 Oregonians from 2015-17 (Oregon.gov). RALI Oregon is a new organization bringing together community leaders, organizations, health care stakeholders and business representatives. The statewide group held its community launch event today in Portland.
A major focus of today’s event, held at Bricklayers Local 1 & Cement Masons Local 555, was the importance of educating consumers about properly disposing of unused prescription medications. Experts say this is one of the keys to stopping misuse, which in turn helps prevent addiction.
“Opioids effect every community one way or another,” said Gail Greenman, Director of National Affairs, Oregon Farm Bureau. “Unused and expired prescriptions in our households can get into the wrong hands far too easily. I applaud RALI Oregon for their awareness efforts surrounding the opioid epidemic and their commitment to educate communities on safe disposal practices.”
"The opioid epidemic is going to take a comprehensive approach that employs multiple strategies to create population-level reductions to this problem," said General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman & CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). "CADCA has always focused on primary prevention and we hope our partnership with RALI Oregon will be a model for other organizations and communities of how to not only enhance local prevention efforts, but also increase community awareness about the dangers of substance use and misuse. Together we can build safe and healthy drug-free communities."
RALI Oregon’s safe disposal efforts helps educate consumers about common ways to safely dispose of unused medications, including using everyday household items or specialized drug disposal pouches. Through this initiative, RALI partners will distribute pouches to residents across the state.
For more information about RALI Oregon, please visit www.RALI-or.org
About RALI Oregon
RALI Oregon brings together local, state and national organizations representing healthcare stakeholders, veterans, industry leaders, and other community partners. In addition to safe disposal, the organization will work together to find solutions and share best practices for prevention, treatment and recovery related to prescription drug misuse.
Partners include:
· Addiction Policy Forum
· Clackamas County Prevention
· Code 3 Association
· Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
· Generations United
· Helping Hands Re-Entry Outreach Centers
· National Black Nurses Association
· National Consumers League
· National Grange
· Northwest Family Services
· Oregon Association of REALTORS
· Oregon Chiefs of Police
· Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
· Oregon Farm Bureau
· Oregon State Building and Construction Trades
· Oregon State Grange
· Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
· Vibrant Future Coalition