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In this issue: |
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BestCare’s new mobile outreach van
The largest substance use disorder (SUD) treatment provider in Central Oregon has used Measure 110 funding to expand outreach capabilities, improve coordinated care with other providers and grow its transitional housing capacity.
BestCare Treatment Services offers residential and outpatient services in five communities (Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville and Klamath Falls). A new mobile outreach van and treatment center in Bend are among the improvements implemented by BestCare using funding from Measure 110.
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Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is an animal tranquilizer that is becoming common in the illicit drug supply across the country, including in Oregon. It has been found mixed with other street drugs, especially fentanyl. OHA detected the presence of xylazine in 20 overdose deaths from 2020-2022 and expects that number to increase significantly in 2023.
Using drugs that contain xylazine can:
- Seriously reduce breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the lethal effects that opioids such as fentanyl or heroin have on breathing and heart rate.
- Cause skin wounds that can grow quickly, be difficult to heal, and develop into life-threatening infections.
- Result in dependence on xylazine itself and withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose of any drug:
- Call 911 first and then administer the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone if you have it. Naloxone will not reverse the effects of xylazine, but because xylazine is often mixed with opioids such as fentanyl, naloxone should be given.
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Start rescue breathing if the person is not breathing on their own: (1) check airway; (2) tilt forehead back, lift chin, pinch nose; (3) give normal breath every five seconds for 30 seconds; (4) recheck breathing and restart cycle if the person is still not breathing. (Xylazine is a sedative, which can increase the risk of suffocation even when naloxone reverses the opioid part of an overdose.)
If you or someone you know is seeking help for substance use, call Oregon’s Alcohol & Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357, 24/7, or text “Recovery Now” to 839863.
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Black leaders in Oregon are working to increase safety for Black youth against risk of suicide – and they need your help!
The national suicide death rate among Black youth ages 10-24 increased more than 36% between 2018 and 2021—a faster increase than any other racial or ethnic group.
Oregon continues to support suicide prevention through the statewide Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition. In 2023, the coalition received a $20,000 grant from the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide to engage youth.
Next week, the coalition will host a virtual wellness mixer where youth can apply for leadership in the coalition.
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WHO: Black youth ages 14-21 who are passionate about mental health
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WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 19, noon to 1:30 p.m.
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HOW: Register for the Zoom mixer HERE, or scan/click the QR code.
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Attendees can share their voices, meet inspiring peers, connect with mentors, gain leadership training, and hear about a paid opportunity to join the coalition as a youth leader. Successful applicants will help create town hall meetings for Black youth across Oregon and learn from their stories. These experiences will help create a trauma-informed, equitable policy to decrease suicide for Black youth in Oregon.
Email questions about the mixer and Oregon’s Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition to byspc@reapusa.org.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988. For culturally specific mental health resources in Oregon, visit here.
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Health notes |
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Deschutes County Health Services has confirmed a case of human plague in a local resident. The individual was likely infected by their symptomatic pet cat.
“All close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness,” said Dr. Richard Fawcett, Deschutes County Health Officer.
Symptoms of plague usually begin in humans two to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea. These symptoms may include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and/or visibly swollen lymph nodes.
Plague is rare in Oregon, with the last case reported in 2015. It spreads to humans or animals through a bite from an infected flea or by contact with an animal sick with the disease. The most common animals to carry plague in Central Oregon are squirrels and chipmunks, but mice and other rodents can also carry the disease.
All children in Oregon’s public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified childcare facilities must have documentation showing they are up to date on their required immunizations by Wednesday, Feb. 21. If parents and caregivers do not provide those records to their child’s school by that deadline, the child will be sent home unless they have an exemption.
“Vaccine-preventable diseases can be highly contagious, with several cases of measles recently taking place in the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S.,” said Stacy de Assis Matthews, school law coordinator in OHA’ Public Health Division. “Immunization remains the best way to stop that spread, keeping kids and school communities healthy and safe.”
COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for students in Oregon schools or childcare. Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their pediatrician or local health department. They may also dial 211 or visit 211info.org. No one can be turned away from a local health department because of the inability to pay for required vaccines.
Statewide school vaccination data is available on OHA’s website, or at OHA’s School Immunization Dashboard.
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OHA answers your questions |
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Questions are answered by experts at OHA and other state agencies or community partners.
Q: Now that there is some distance from the peak of the recent pandemic, what does the latest data show re: the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19? Some in the area where I live, including several treating physicians, adhere to the belief that ivermectin is a valid treatment modality for COVID-19. – Cathy, Coos Bay
A: Cathy, OHA does not recommend use of ivermectin in the treatment (or prevention) of COVID-19.
Many studies have been done assessing the safety and effectiveness of ivermectin in treating COVID-19 in humans, some seeming to show benefit. However, overall the results are unconvincing. A systematic review of 25 randomized clinical trials found a high risk of bias (misleading results) and no significant reduced risk of needing ventilation or dying. A list of completed and ongoing clinical trials assessing the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 can be found here.
For use in some animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ivermectin to prevent heartworm disease and treat some parasites. For use in humans, the FDA has approved ivermectin to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms, head lice, and skin conditions such as rosacea. The FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19.
Importantly, humans should never take ivermectin meant for animals, because it typically contains doses too high and dangerous for humans, as well as inactive ingredients that have not been tested in humans.
Q: My vaccination book from the '60s is full and I need to get an updated page or a new probably updated page. How do I go about this? – John, Eugene
A: You’re not alone, John. Those little booklets are still valid but no longer used by the medical community. Your immunization records should be entered into Oregon’s immunization database, ALERT IIS. You probably already have an ALERT IIS account, because providers who administer vaccines in Oregon are required to enter them into the database. As for vaccines you’ve received in the distant past, only a health care professional can enter those into the database, so bring your book to your next appointment and ask that it be done. Then, you can keep the book tucked away for posterity 😊. Like any primary medical record, we don’t recommend throwing it away.
You can request your ALERT IIS records through OHA’s website and print it, or request that OHA send you a printed copy. If you have questions, contact the ALERT IIS Help Desk at 800-980-9431 or via email at alertiis@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
If you have questions about health topics in Oregon, submit your question here. Although we are unable to answer every question, we try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there.
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