Substance Abuse Recovery Celebrated in Multnomah County
PORTLAND, Ore.–Addiction is very common in the Portland area, with state health reports showing more than 20% of adults struggle with a substance use disorder.
Multnomah County is declaring September as a special month to honor those struggling with recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
Two long time county employees who’ve fought their own battles, are now helping others. Deandre Kenyanjui is the County Supervisor for Consumer Engagement. “I just celebrated eleven years of clean time, and without recovery, I would not be here. It’s about having a safe place to live, people who support you, opportunities to heal.”
Joining him was Mario Cardenas, the program coordinator working with the Latino community.
“By the grace of God and my brothers and sisters in and out of recovery and services through Multnomah County, I’ve just hit thirteen years.”
And Multnomah County Commissioners Meghan Moyer and Julia Brim-Edwards also spoke about the importance of recovery.
“We have approved and are beginning to build the new Sobering and Crisis Stabilization Center, for people to safely sober,” said Moyer.
Brim-Edwards added, “Recovery is about more than treatment. It’s about having a safe place to live, supportive relationships, and a healthy and fulfilling life.”
You can hear much more this coming Sunday morning at 7 and afternoon at 1:30, on “Speaking Freely with Annette Newell,” on KXL-FM.