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
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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.