News

SEASIDE, Oregon – Today, Columbia Pacific CCO announced that it is bringing back its annual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Summit this fall. The summit, which had been on hold for the past three years because of the pandemic, will take place Oct. 9-10 at the Seaside Civic & Convention Center.

The summit will bring together clinical experts, public health officials and community members who deal with the repercussions of substance use. It is an opportunity for attendees to learn from each other and identify opportunities to support the many Oregonians struggling with substance use disorder.

Tragically, on average three people die each day in Oregon from unintentional drug overdose, according to a recent Oregon Health Authority report. Many more Oregonians are struggling with substance use disorder, and are at high risk for overdose, the report notes.

“Columbia Pacific CCO hosts the summit, but it is really designed to be a community-driven event. This event is about the community coming together and making a shared commitment to improving the lives of people living with substance use disorder,” said Rachel Paczkowski, Columbia Pacific director of behavioral health.

On opening day, John McIlveen, the state’s authority on opioid treatment, and Tom Jeanne, deputy state health officer, will address the “SUD state of the state.” Other summit highlights include:

• A session on Measure 110 successes, barriers and regional implementation (speakers representing Lines for Life, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, Tillamook Community Health Center and Columbia Community Mental Health.)
• A session on saving lives through community collaboration (speakers representing Opioid Use Response for Tillamook County, or OUR Tillamook) 
• Amy Baker, executive director of Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, will deliver a call to action for “transformation at the regional level” at the closing plenary.

To elevate the voices of those who are closest to the recovery work in local communities, peers (both youth and adults) will have a larger presence at this year’s summit than they have in the past. On opening day, for instance, a Youth Era peer council will speak about “What we wish the adults knew.”

In another summit first, Columbia Pacific will offer simultaneous language interpretation (provided by Linguava Interpreters) to attendees who request the service during registration. The move reflects the coordinated care organization’s long-standing commitment to language access and by extension health equity.

Columbia Pacific has also waived the registration fee for all community members, including health care professionals, to make the event as accessible as possible.

Visit the Columbia Pacific website to learn more about the summit, view the full agenda and register.

About Columbia Pacific CCO

Columbia Pacific CCO, part of the CareOregon family of companies, is proud to serve more than 34,000 Oregon Health Plan members living in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. As a nonprofit coordinated care organization (CCO), we provide physical, dental and mental health care through a growing network of health care providers. Our priorities are guided by our local board of directors, community advisory councils and clinical advisory panel, and are informed by extensive community engagement. Columbia Pacific is committed to promoting the health of all those in our region. We focus on increasing access to language services, offering treatment for those experiencing substance use disorders and fostering connections that promote social health.