Substance abuse prevention professionals from across the state will meet in central Oregon October 14 to develop an action plan to fight the spread of prescription drug abuse. The summit will reportedly center on the issues of alternative pain management, safe prescribing methods, the treatment of opioid abuse and the safe disposal of unused prescription medications.

The event, organized by Lines for Life and the Central Oregon Health Council, looks like it will include a number of representatives from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 12 sectors for coalition building. According to KTVZ, there will be representatives from law enforcement, healthcare professionals, treatment and prevention workers, educators, business owners and third-party payers, among others.

The summit will take place Oct. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Middle Sister Conference Hall in Redmond. Those interested in registering should visit www.orcrm.org.

With the beginning of the year, there are a number of new laws that went into effect yesterday. Among these is a new law that provides immunity to anyone under the age of 21 who seeks police or emergency assistance, even if they have been drinking illegally. The law was designed to encourage young people to seek help without the fear of receiving an underage drinking citation.

In November, voters passed Measure 91, legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana and allowing residents to grow up to a half-pound on their properties. But it’s important to note that this law doesn’t go into effect until July 1, and even then, employers still have the right to prohibit their employees from marijuana use.

The state continues to look at ways to help prevent substance abuse in young people under the legal age of 21, especially when it comes to edibles.

State Sen. Ginny Burdick and OLCC Chair Rob Partridge recently discussed the implementation of Measure 91 in the state:

The state of Oregon has also established this website so that residents can learn more about the process, along with what is and is not legal effective July 1.