Priority 2: Addiction Primary Prevention

Budget Request: $25 Million
House Bill: HB 2954
Chief sponsor: Representative Thuy Tran
Co-sponsor: Representative Travis Nelson

Oregon spends 94% of its substance use dollars on recovery and treatment and only 6% on prevention, most of which is earmarked only for tobacco. This bill will allocate $25 million per biennium so counties and tribes can hire at least one staff person dedicated to preventing drug and alcohol use. Right now, there are very few evidence-based prevention programs in the state and those that do exist do not have dedicated, dependable funding. This bill will also help counties sustain or expand these programs.

Fact Sheet: Funding substance use prevention is a good investment

Story: Two Oregon counties teach kids skills proven to reduce substance use