In this issue:

• Have you been affected by Oregon’s fentanyl or overdose crises?
• Oregon State Hospital brings gender-affirming care to recovery
• Reader poetry about the pandemic
• Free summer meals available to children across Oregon
• Q & A
• OHA's COVID-19 resources

Have you been affected by Oregon’s fentanyl or overdose crises?

You are not alone, and treatment and recovery are possible. If you or a loved one are currently struggling with using fentanyl or other opioids, visit our Fentanyl Facts webpage for information and ways to get help and support.

The proliferation of illicitly manufactured fentanyl—a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin—is touching and destroying lives at unprecedented rates, across all cultures and geographies. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is highly addictive and added to counterfeit pills (made to look like prescription medications) and street drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Fentanyl is now the number one cause of overdose deaths in Oregon.

We are asking you to consider sharing your story with others. Why? Because your story—what you’ve learned, and how you’re coping with fentanyl and preventing overdose—can help other people and families across Oregon. If you are willing to share, we’d like to hear about your personal experience related to fentanyl use, addiction or overdose. Stories of courage, love, loss, recovery and healing raise awareness, provide hope and show the scope and complexity of a societal crisis unlike any other in modern history.

With your permission, we may use your story or comments in upcoming newsletters or blog content. We will respect all who wish to remain anonymous.

Oregon State Hospital brings gender-affirming care to recovery

click image to see more photos

Oregon State Hospital (OSH) has a new team trained to support gender diverse patients and provide gender-affirming care. Learn more about this team's work in the latest edition of Recovery Times, OSH's quarterly newsletter.

“The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately represented in the hospital,” said Nina Perard, OSH diversity liaison. “Gender-affirming care is necessary for ensuring patients have what they need to go through their journey of recovery and that staff have the tools needed to help.”

Patients and staff at Oregon State Hospital (OSH) recently celebrated Pride with activities designed for patients to express their creativity and learn about community resources. The hospital’s Junction City campus event featured a colorful 🌈 timeline of the history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ communities to raise awareness and educate patients and staff.

The latest newsletter also includes a former patient’s story of recovery and success after earning his GED at OSH, plus a look back at the hospital’s fascinating history.

Reader poetry about the pandemic

Free summer meals available to children across Oregon

The Summer Food Service Program is available throughout Oregon, offering free meals and snacks to kids ages 1-18. All families are welcome to participate, regardless of income or immigration status. The only requirement is showing up! Many programs also offer fun activities on-site so kids can stay active and keep learning. Use this search tool to find a Summer Meal site near you and be sure to check details such as the days and times meals are available.

Q & A

Sean McAnulty, OHP Member Communications coordinator, and Angela Allbee, manager for the Oregon Psilocybin Services Program, answered today’s questions.

Q: Hello, I’m in an immigration process, but I don’t have health insurance. Would getting the Oregon Health Plan affect my process? – Laura, Portland

A: “Thanks for your question, Laura. Having coverage under Oregon Health Plan (OHP), or being in the process of applying for OHP coverage, should not interfere with your immigration status or process. That is because OHP membership is not considered a public charge, which means it does not affect the immigration process. You can read more about this in this fact sheet about public benefits and immigration.

“For complex situations, consult an immigration lawyer or call the Oregon Law Center’s Public Benefits hotline (1-800-520-5292). Thank you again for your question!”

Q: Can someone out of state (for example myself from New Hampshire) participate in the psilocybin services program? – Chet, Windham, NH

A: “Yes, people from out of state may access psilocybin services in Oregon. But you must be 21 years of age or older and participate in a preparation session with a licensed facilitator before you will be able to participate in an administration session (the session when psilocybin is consumed at a licensed service center).

“Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) expects licensed psilocybin service centers to open their doors to clients over the coming months. Although we have issued six service center licenses, it will take some time for service centers to set up operations after licensure. Each licensed service center, and the licensed facilitators who work for or with them, will set their own costs and manage their own operations and communications. You can use the online OPS Licensee Directory to find licensed service centers and licensed facilitators.

"We encourage you to read the OPS Fact Sheet, as well as our Access Psilocybin Services webpage for important information about receiving psilocybin services in Oregon.”

If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. While we are unable to answer every question, we try to address questions that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.

OHA's COVID-19 resources

• FIND A VACCINE
• COVID-19 home page
• News and reports homepage
• ** NEW ** Respiratory virus data home page (COVID-19, RSV, flu)
  
• Wastewater surveillance data dashboard (updated every Wednesday)

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An archive of past Oregon Health News bulletins can be found here.