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Addiction Prevention Section

Note as of July 2023

The Executive Leadership Team of the Addiction Prevention Section has voted to exit the Oregon Public Health Association to launch a new, separate organization under a fiscal relationship with the Oregon Council on Behavioral Health (OCBH). T

Overall, the relationship between the members of the AP Section and the OPHA has been a very useful and fruitful experience. We wish to express our gratitude for the warm welcome that OPHA provided for our field of professionals in 2017. We look forward to maintaining and opening up collaboration on shared goals with remaining AP Section members, OPHA, and other partners throughout Oregon. Our last day of formal engagement with the AP Section will be August 15, 2023. The new organization, called Oregon Coalition of Prevention Professionals (OCPP), will operate as a separate organization under the fiscal agency of the OCBH. This will afford the new organization the autonomy desired while maintaining the fiscal and staff support available under the fiscal agent.

Purpose

The purpose of the Addiction Prevention Section of the Oregon Public Health Association is to act as a representative group of the health promotion and addiction prevention professionals, coalitions, and community partners in the State of Oregon. The Section advances community-based prevention throughout Oregon by focusing on five core principles: prevention best practice, leadership, professional development, community advocacy, and connectivity among prevention partners. The Section identifies the professional development and technical assistance needs of prevention professionals, and collaborates with the OHA Public Health Division to create and/or steward training, resources, and support for professionals working in the field. The Section serves as an influential voice in policy (local, state and national), programming, and funding with regard to the following prevention topics: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs, problem gambling, sexual health, mental health and other related community health issues. 

 AP Section Definition and Implementation of Prevention

DEFINITION OF PREVENTION

Prevention efforts (both individual and community) are designed to:

  • Intervene before the onset of a risky behavior*, disease, or behavioral disorder
  • Promote protective factors and healthy behaviors; reduce risk factors and deter risky behaviors
  • Provide screening and referral to treatment services in order to slow and/or stop the progression of risky behaviors and/or behavior disorders

*The definition of risky behavior or behavior disorder may vary according to topic and/or by age.

HOW WE IMPLEMENT PREVENTION

Prevention strategies may address any of the following populations, and be offered to people across the entire life-span whenever possible: 

  • Universal (general public or a whole population group)
  • selective (subgroups of the population whose risk of developing the disorder is significantly higher than average - these people may be at imminent risk or have a lifetime risk)
  • Indicated (high-risk individuals who are identified as having minimal but detectable signs or symptoms foreshadowing the disorder, or biological markers indicating a predisposition for the disorder, but who do not meet the diagnostic level of use disorder). 

We use a variety of guiding frameworks and models to implement inclusive, equitable, and sustainable prevention efforts. Preventionists adhere to a code of ethics with six core principles: 1) non-discrimination; 2) competence; 3) integrity; 4) nature of services; 5) confidentiality; and 6) ethical obligations for community and society.

To learn more about Prevention Foundations, check out these video resources.

 Section Leadership

Vacant 

 AP Section History and Overview - 3 minute video link

AP Section Structure

    • Executive Leadership Team: Provides coordination and stewardship of the Section. Meets monthly.

    • Learning Committee: Provides and promotes opportunities for learning and professional development through shared resources, partnerships, conferences, and on-site visits. Partnering with credentialing agencies to ensure certification relevance. Meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, from 2-3 p.m.
    • Connections Committee: Creates opportunities for meaningful connections and networking among prevention professionals across the state. Meeting calendar TBD. Contact: Clair Raujol ([email protected] )
    • Policy Analysis and Education Committee: Mission is to advance the knowledge of prevention professionals in Oregon of current substance use policy, and regulations, and identify the impact on populations. Contact: Pam Pearce ([email protected])

Section Newsletters

Sign up to receive bi-annual Section Newsletters HERE

February 2022
June 2021
September 2020
July 2022

Upcoming Events

Resources

“Addictionary – The words we use matter. Caution needs to be taken, especially when the disorders concerned are heavily stigmatized, such as substance use disorder. This tool provides vocabulary and stigma alerts for words that may have previously been regularly used, but have been shown over time to carry the weight of stigma or that may have unintentional negative connotations.

Prevention Learning Opportunities

Prevention Specialist Certification information (Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon)

Figure 1. Spectrum of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Services. 2019.