[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNITION OF THE OREGON PARTNERSHIP

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today in 
recognition of an extraordinary group of people in my state who are 
working each day to protect our children and teenagers from the dangers 
of alcohol and drug abuse.
  The Oregon Partnership, led by Executive Director, Judy Cushing, is 
the only nonprofit statewide network of drug prevention services 
available to every community--rural and urban--throughout Oregon.
  While we may talk about the importance of drug abuse prevention 
programs on the floor of the Senate, the staff at the Oregon 
Partnership are turning words into action with very limited federal 
resources. Their accomplishments and allegiance to the thousands whom 
they serve, deserves respect and additional federal support.
  Formed in 1993, the Partnership is governed by a volunteer, 12-member 
Board of Directors and has a statewide volunteer base of 500 educators, 
parents, youth, health professionals, business and faith leaders. 
Together, they share a common goal--to help the young people of Oregon 
help themselves and their peers--to lead productive and drug-free 
lives.
  Through these combined efforts, this group of dedicated volunteers is 
truly a partnership. With 73 coalitions that reach across the state of 
Oregon, the Partnership empowers communities at a grassroots level 
through a strong support network of resources including media relations 
assistance, event planning and training that targets the local needs of 
each community. In addition, the Partnership's resource center provides 
communities and families with materials that provide answers to 
questions about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The Partnership also 
maintains a website that provides details about other available 
resources, materials and programs.
  Recognizing that information is only effective when it is available, 
the Oregon Partnership houses the only statewide 24-hour helpline with 
person-to-person contact every day. The HelpLine/YouthLine currently 
responds to 2,000 calls per month from substance abusers, family 
members and friends who are searching for referral assistance and 
information about treatment programs and services within their local 
area.
  What is truly exemplary about the Oregon Partnership, is that it 
provides these services through its network of volunteers. More than 
fifty professionally trained volunteers provide confidential 
counseling, information and local treatment referral for chemical 
dependence and other addictions. Sixty percent of the volunteers are 
college and graduate students pursuing counseling careers.
  Mr. President, I believe that the Oregon Partnership is an example of 
what Congress intended for the use of federal drug prevention dollars. 
Unlike any other program in our state, the Oregon Partnership is the 
resource that serves as the link that keeps the chain from prevention 
programs to treatment strong. The Oregon Partnership is our first line 
of defense and the kind voice at the end of the phone that says, ``Yes, 
we can help.''
  For these reasons and many more, I would like to take this 
opportunity to formally thank the directors, members and volunteers of 
the Oregon Partnership for their dedication and gracious, generous 
service to the people of Oregon as they work to eliminate drug abuse 
throughout our state: Judy Cushing, Joyce Adams-Malin, Lloyd Duncan, 
Jennifer Fogelman, Jill Showalter, Kaleen Deatherage, Penny Labberton, 
Elizabeth Buskirk, Mary Ellen Apostol, Michelle Kromm, Ericka Ziettlow, 
Jennie Donnelly, Karla Bateman.

                          ____________________