April is Alcohol Awareness Month

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, an annual campaign aimed at bringing awareness to the dangers of alcohol misuse. According to National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), each year in the United States, more than 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading preventable cause of death in our country. Recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse and receiving proper treatment can make a significant impact with the recovery process and help save lifes.

Oregon Sports Betting Numbers Declined in March  

Oregon gamblers placed over $23.2 million in wagers on basketball alone during March 2022. According to the latest monthly revenue report from the Oregon Lottery, DraftKings reported accepting $36.2 million in wagers throughout the month of March. Yet this is the second month in a row in which Oregon sees a dip in sports betting. 

No New Cannabis Licenses: Oregon OLCC Pulls the Plug

Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) officials have ceased issuing new cannabis licenses to those who submitted application after Jan.1, 2022

According to a news released by the commission. The license moratorium comes as Oregon’s cannabis market has experienced exponential growth, which has led to a crowded marketplace, according to OLCC officials. Legislation that went into effect earlier this month leaves leeway for OLCC officials to restart licensing at some point in the future, based upon market supply, but language in a subsequent subsection specifically directs the commission to discontinue processing applications submitted after Jan. 1.

Parents, recovery advocates call for immediate Oregon action on addiction crisis

Moms and others concerned about addiction rallied in Portland on Saturday, calling for the Oregon Health Authority to take effective and immediate action against substance use. They included a father who lost his son two years ago after he consumed a counterfeit opioid pill he bought online that was laced with fentanyl. They included a mom with a 35-year-old son who recently relapsed with a drug addiction. And they included at least three moms whose children are struggling with addiction on the streets of Portland.