May 2008
flowers


Welcome to Portland's Overdose Prevention Project's (OPP) e-newsletter!
In this issue you will find information about upcoming workshops, training opportunities, national news articles and community updates.  Please feel free to share our e-news with anyone you think might enjoy or benefit from it! 

Happy Spring!

News You Can Use

From the Harm Reduction Coalition (harmreduction.org)
"Bevel Up: Drugs, Users and Outreach Nursing (Biseau vers le haut) is an educational kit...created to share knowledge not found in nursing schools and teaching hospitals. It shows how registered nurses working with the BC Centre for Disease Control's Street Nurse Program provide health care to the people living in the alleys and hotels of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.  Designed and produced by the street nurses themselves in collaboration with community members, Bevel Up offers instructors and students access to the experience of an entire community of health care practitioners who work with drug using populations." 
Click Here for the Bevel Up Website (Vancouver, CA)

'Crystal Darkness'
Simulcast Generates Calls for Help
(JoinTogether.org)
"Unprecedented statewide cooperation among competing television and radio stations in the broadcast of a documentary about crystal meth, resulted in hundreds of Arizonans calling a hotline number at the conclusion of the broadcast, the Associated Press reported April 16..."
Click Here to Find Out More About "Crystal Darkness: Meth's Deadly Assault on Our Youth"

Dangerous diversions: Specter of prescription drug abuse creates tough balancing act for doctors

"Walking the line between appropriately prescribing controlled substances and unwittingly contributing to the increase in prescription drug abuse becomes less precarious when certain precautions are taken, say those familiar with the balancing act. Prescription drug abuse is widespread and on the rise. Nearly 7 million Americans abused prescription drugs in 2005, compared with 3.8 million in 2000 -- an 80% jump, says the Justice Dept..."

Click Here for the Full American Medical News Article

Spring Break Confessions: A 3-Part Series
Part 1 "Teens go for the fun, sun, and surf ... and many add massive amounts of drinking, drugs, and dangerous sex when they get there..."
Click Here for Part 1

Part 2"Find out what teens are really doing on spring break--and how to make sure your teen knows that what happens on spring break does *not* always stay on spring break..."
Click Here for Part 2
Part 3"If your child is even thinking about going on spring break or a senior trip...watch this first.  If you're concerned about your child going on spring break or an upcoming senior trip, this final part of our series is for you..."
Click Here for Part 3

For more tips, click here to download the discussion guide (PDF)

$79 Online Program
Helps Those on
Treatment Waiting Lists
(Join Together.org)
"An online addiction treatment program, designed and operated by local psychotherapists, can help bridge the gap while people are waiting for treatment.  Called the All-Addictions Recovery Program, it aims to help those with addictions, as well as their loved ones."
Click Here for the Kitchener, Ontario, CA The Record Article

From NoSlang.com:
"Drug slang is constantly changing and evolving. Some terms are universal, yet others solely exist among groups of friends. Whether you're a parent, teacher, law enforcement officer, or simply a concerned friend - it's important to stay up to date on the latest drug related slang terms."
Click Here for the Alphabetical listing of "Drug Slang"

The Advocacy Partnership Exchange (APEx): May 12th @ PSRC

The Overdose Prevention Project's 1st APEx workshop will be held May 12th from 9:30-10:30 at Preble Street Resource Center--all are welcome!
Staff from:

Milestone Foundation, Inc.,

Crossroads for Women
&

PROP/The Women's Project

will be presenting information about addiction, treatment and their services in an open forum for all to participate. 

PSRC staff and consumers will have the option of asking questions directly to the panel or will be able to put questions into a box in an effort to be sensitive to confidentiality; food will be provided and we anticipate an exciting and lively discussion!  Thank you to Milestone, Crossroads & PROP/The Women's Project for generously offering their time and expertise to this process.

The next workshop will be held in October 2008.
FMI, contact Amanda at 756-8053.
Crossroads for Women Blog: Women & Substance Abuse


Crossroads for Women has started using a blog to update the community at large "about addiction, treatment and recovery for women and their families."
To check out their blog, go to: www.crossroadsforwomen.wordpress.com

Click Here for Crossroads' Blog
Overdose Prevention Groups & Educational Training Opportunities

The Overdose Prevention Project offers FREE overdose prevention educational trainings to area businesses and organizations; we can also provide materials and informational handouts at no cost.  We currently hold educational support groups at Long Creek Youth Development Center, Cumberland County Jail and Preble Street Resource Center.

If you or your organization would like to schedule a training about overdose prevention and/or harm reduction, or if you work with community members who are actively using or are former users looking for a place to talk about their addiction, please contact Amanda at 756-8053 or [email protected]

Portland Women's Taskforce: Update
As a group of professionals and concerned citizens, we have come together to help create a safety net for addicted women in Portland as the Portland Women's Taskforce. It is our goal to help them have better access to treatment and recovery services and support, especially in high risk neighborhoods.
The intention of this group is to share ideas and concerns and to build partnerships that will create a continuum of care for those we serve.


To build on our network, we have created a group on
Yahoo! called "Portland Women's Task Force."
 
If you would like to join the email group or would like to learn more,
please contact Ronni Katz at 756-8116

Our next meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2008 from 1:30-3:00.

The OPP Event & Meeting Calendar
Click Here for the OPP Calendar
Calendar Listings
The Overdose Prevention Project will publish meetings, events & upcoming class offerings using Localendar.com.  Please submit your listings as soon as they become available.  You can click the Localendar.com icon (above) for the OPP Calendar page; this page is also available for viewing or for forwarding anytime by clicking: http://www.localendar.com/public/OverdosePrevProject
 
Next Meeting
The next OPP Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2008.  If you would like to inquire about attending a meeting, please contact Ronni Katz at [email protected]or 756-8116.

City of Portland Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Website
We have listed area treatment providers as well as national resources for community members, families, teens and specific resources for women in need.  If you would like to add anything, let us know!  Check us out at: www.substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov
Who We Are...

Overdose Prevention Project Members
Portland's OPP is made up of numerous statewide and local treatment and prevention providers as well as other state and local agencies.  Representatives are from: Discovery House, CAP Quality Care, Portland Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, OSA, Community Substance Abuse Centers and various departments within the City of Portland's Public Health Division (Health & Human Services Department).

C
ontact Us

Call Ronni Katz, City of  Portland Public Health Division's Substance Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator at 756-8116 or Amanda Edgar, City of Portland Public Health Division's Community Health Promotion Specialist at 756-8053 for more information about the OPP's efforts or to learn more about community resources!

Our Mission:

To prevent drug overdoses by providing support, advocacy, education & outreach to the Portland community through positive collaborations & partnerships.

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      The Overdose Prevention Project is supported by the
Maine Office of Substance Abuse (OSA) & the City of Portland's Public Health Division, Health & Human Services Department

Click Here for the PHD WebsiteClick Here for OSA's Website

If you have questions regarding the content provided in this e-newsletter, please email
Amanda Edgar at
[email protected]
.