Grand Ronde Tribe Expands Opioid Treatment with Second Clinic in SE Portland
Oregon’s first tribally operated treatment clinic opened by the Tribe two years ago in Salem.
Portland, OR. - The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are continuing their fight against opioid addiction by opening a second location of Great Circle Recovery in SE Portland. The Portland clinic will continue with the Tribe’s holistic and comprehensive approach to treatment and provide treatment to any Tribal Member, other natives, and the community at-large. Located at 3580 SE 82nd Avenue in Portland, the clinic focuses on making opioid treatment more accessible by lowering the barriers to treatment. Doors will open to patients in mid-February.
The Tribe has watched as the opioid epidemic has infiltrated families and communities. According to the CDC, opioid overdose deaths among Native Americans are higher than the national average, increasing by more than 500% since 2000. This increase is driven by synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, which is 100 times more potent than morphine, and often added to other illegal drugs to increase drug profits. Recognizing a growing need, the Tribe opened its first location of Great Circle Recovery in Salem, OR in April of 2021. The first tribally owned and operated clinic in Oregon, they have served over 500 patients since opening.
“Every day we see the impacts of opioids in our community,” stated Cheryle A. Kennedy, Chairwoman for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. “The addiction doesn’t end with the person. It impacts their family, friends, and community. I pray that by expanding our services to Portland, more people will find recovery and all of those impacted may begin to heal.”
While most treatment centers focus solely on medical treatment, Great Circle Recovery embraces a whole-person perspective to recovery. This approach allows them to administer to the patient’s medical needs as well as the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components of recovery. These activities help to rebuild core values of self and support long-term recovery.
“At Great Circle Recovery we care about more than the medical side of treatment,” shared Kelly Rowe, Health and Wellness Director for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. “We believe that focusing on the health and well-being of the entire person will set them up for long term success in their recovery.”
For more information on Great Circle Recovery, visit: Home - Great Circle Recovery
About the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is a federally recognized tribe located in western Oregon. It includes more than 30 tribes and bands from western Oregon, southwestern Washington and northern California that were relocated to the Grand Ronde Reservation between 1855-1875. For more information, visit www.grandronde.org