Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2023)
December 06, 2023 Page 3 N ews INSIDE L NO ocaL to Recriminalization! Expanding access to treatment Arts & page 7 ENTERTAINMENT c Lassified /B ids pages 10 Established 1970 USPS 959 680 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97211 The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property of the newspaper and cannot be used in other publications or personal usage without the written consent of the general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such ad. © 2008 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. The Portland Observer--Oregon’s Oldest Multicultural Publication--is a member of the National Newspaper Association--Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc, New York, NY, and The West Coast Black Publishers Association PO QR code Publisher: Mark Washington, Sr. Editor: Shawntell Washington Office Mngr/Clasfds : Lucinda Baldwin Admin Coord : Quayuana Washington Creative Director: Kenya Anderson Web Editor: Zoe Holman-Kragero CALL 503-288-0033 • FAX 503-288-0015• news@portlandobserver.com ads@portlandobserver.com• subscription@portlandobserver.com Postmaster: Send address changes to Portland Observer, PO Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208 SPOTLIGHT The new law will utilize and expand existing community-based providers as Behavioral Health Resource Networks to provide services throughout the state to immediately assess the needs of people who use drugs and link them to treatment, care and ser- vices. Drug possession has been decriminalized, reducing criminal possession offenses from mis- demeanors to civil infractions. Instead of arrests and criminal records, people found to be pos- sessing small amounts of drugs will be cited and fined $100. They will be given the phone number for a 24/7 support line to connect them with a local peer support specialist. The peer will conduct a social services needs assessment. Upon completion, their fine will be waived and they will be linked to vital services. Call (503) 575- 3769 to reach the support line. The new law will increases access to vital services, includ- ing Behavioral Health Treatment that is evidence-based, trau- Larry Turner in support of the Health Justice Recovery Alliance ma-informed, culturally specif- applicants for increasing commu- ic, linguistically accessible, and nity access to care. The Secretary patient-centered; Peer support of State will conduct financial and recovery services designed and performance audits every two to help people remain clean and years. The Act does not legalize sober; Housing for persons with any drugs. Substance Use Disorder; Harm It removes criminal penalties reduction interventions including for low-level possession of all overdose prevention, access to drugs, currently classified as mis- naloxone hydrochloride and other demeanors, replacing them with drug education and outreach Ser- a fine. These fines can be waived vices will be paid for with grants by being evaluated at Behavioral from excess cannabis tax revenue Health Resource Networks, which above $45 million a year and law will be made available in all parts enforcement savings. of the state, 24 hours a day. No The Act establishes an Over- change is made in the criminal sight and Accountability Council code for delivery, manufacture, composed of people with lived and other commercial drug offens- experience and addiction and ser- es. These offenses will remain a vice delivery experts. Supported crime. No change is made for oth- by the Oregon Health Authority, er crimes that may be associated the Council will determine how with drug use, such as driving un- funds will be distributed to grant der the influence and theft. Introducing Phlebotomy Certificate A fast track to a rewarding Health Career A Magical Brunch With Santa Fun for the whole family at the Brix Tavern Brunch with Santa. Saturday, December 9th from 10:00 am to 2:30pm. Reservations can be made through OpenTable. Clackamas Community Col- lege (CCC) launched a new phlebotomy certificate. This program is designed to pro- vide students with a fast track to a rewarding career in health care. With just 6 months of classes, individuals can become certified phlebotomists and join the vital health care work- force. Phlebotomists are highly trained professionals responsi- ble for collecting blood samples from individuals. They play a crucial role in clinics, hospitals and laboratories, ensuring safe and accurate blood collection for medical purposes. Phlebotomy technicians, as they are often referred to, not only collect blood but also prepare the samples for test- ing. Their responsibilities may extend to explaining the blood-drawing procedure to pa- tients, helping to alleviate any Fast track to a rewarding career in health care by earning a phlebotomy certificate from CCC in just 6 months concerns and ensuring a com- interested in pursuing this exciting fortable experience for those career path, the application dead- they serve. lines for the spring/summer cohort Phlebotomy technicians find are Applications due February employment opportunities in 26th. The program combines on- various health care settings, like line learning with in-person skills hospitals, clinics, doctors' offic- labs, followed by a clinical practi- es, nursing homes, medical labs, cum, ensuring students receive blood donation centers, research comprehensive training. institutes and insurance compa- For more information about the nies. They may work different Phlebotomy Certificate program at shifts, including evenings, nights, Clackamas Community College, weekends and holidays, and are please visit www.clackamas.edu/ often on their feet, interacting phlebotomy-cc. For questions, with patients or preparing samples email healthsciences@clackamas. for laboratory analysis. For those edu or call 503-594-0650.
