RRP EXTRA 048.1 - Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem (February 13, 2025)

RRP EXTRA 048.1 - Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem (February 13, 2025)

Presenters: Julie and Peter
Length: Approx. 1 hour, 5 minutes

Episode Overview:

In this Real Recovery Podcast Extra, we take you inside Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem, a pivotal event uniting recovery advocates, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers in the fight for better access to treatment, policy reform, and sustainable funding for recovery services.

We sit down with Bo Brinson (Oregon Recovers), Robert Sanders (4D Recovery), Izzy Alvarado (Go The Distance), and Amanda Ireland Esquivel (True Colors Recovery) as they discuss the power of community-driven advocacy, the urgent need for peer support and recovery services, and how everyday people can help drive real change.

From legislative proposals, alcohol tax discussions, and expanding access to care, this episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just personal—it’s political.

Key Discussion Points:

• [00:02:00] Meet the panel: Bo Brinson, Robert Sanders, Izzy Alvarado, and Amanda Ireland Esquivel
• [00:06:00] What is Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem? Its purpose and impact
• [00:08:00] How recovery advocacy affects real policy changes
• [00:15:00] The role of peer support and community-led initiatives
• [00:19:00] Legislative priorities: The fight for an alcohol tax to fund recovery services
• [00:25:00] Addressing the gaps in funding and accessibility across Oregon
• [00:32:00] The importance of prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery support
• [00:41:00] Mental health, addiction, and the need for a holistic recovery model
• [00:50:00] Why showing up to advocacy events matters—and how to get involved
• [01:00:00] Final thoughts: A call to action for listeners to support and participate

Quotes from the Episode:

• "We have a brief opportunity where people get that moment of willingness. If we don’t act fast, we lose them." – Robert Sanders
• "Recovery isn’t just personal—it’s political. If we don’t advocate for ourselves, who will?" – Bo Brinson
• "Treatment can only get you clean. But the real work happens when you build a foundation for long-term recovery." – Izzy Alvarado
• "Oregon ranks dead last in access to care. It’s time to change that." – Amanda Ireland Esquivel

Links to Resources Mentioned:

• Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem: https://portlandadvocacyday.com/
• Register for Advocacy Day (via Oregon Recovers): Register Here
• Oregon Recovers: www.oregonrecovers.org
• 4D Recovery: www.4drecovery.org
• Go The Distance (GTD): www.gtdgothedistance.org
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