Substance Use

Alcohol and Substance Use

Reducing harms associated with alcohol and substance use is one of the priority areas in OHA's State Health Improvement Plan.

Key Strategies and Targets  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Reducing Opioid Overdose and Misuse

Oregon has one of the highest rates of nonmedical use of opioid painkillers in the nation. Partners across the state are working to reduce this epidemic. We have made recent progress, including Oregon prescribing guidelines and better access to naloxone to reverse an overdose, but there is more work to be done.

Opioid Overdose and Misuse Naloxone Rescue Heal Safely Campaign

Cannabis and Your Health

The Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division is working to understand and minimize negative public health impacts from cannabis use. We collect data, educate the public, work to prevent youth cannabis use, and protect children from cannabis exposure. Consumers should exercise caution when using any cannabis product, and consult their health care provider if they intend to use cannabis products for therapeutic or medical purposes.

Cannabis and Your Health Information for Parents

Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with substance use. Harm reduction incorporates a variety of interventions that are part of the public health response to outbreaks of overdose and infectious diseases. To support the development of local harm reduction and syringe service programs (SSP), OHA developed a Planning and Resource Manual that includes the manual, tools and templates, and an online resource library.

Harm Reduction Syringe Exchange Services Harm Reduction and SSP Manual