Fighting for Change: How Recovery Advocacy is Shaping Policy in Oregon

In this Real Recovery Podcast Extra, we take you inside Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day in Salem, a crucial event bringing together recovery advocates, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers to push for legislative change.
Julie and Peter sit down with Bo Brinson (Oregon Recovers), Robert Sanders (4D Recovery), Izzy Alvarado (Go The Distance), and Amanda Ireland Esquivel (True Colors Recovery) to discuss the importance of advocacy, funding, and peer support in the fight for better access to addiction recovery services.
Oregon Recovers advocacy, Portland Advocacy Day 2025, addiction recovery policy, peer support services Oregon, alcohol tax funding recovery

Bo Brinson (Oregon Recovers), Izzy Alvarado (Go The Distance), Robert Sanders (4D Recovery), Julie (RRP), Amanda Ireland Esquivel (True Colors Recovery), & Peter (RRP)

From discussing the need for alcohol tax reform to ensuring treatment and recovery support are accessible to all, this episode highlights how community-driven efforts can drive real policy changes that save lives.
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Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day: A Movement for Change

The Purpose of Advocacy Day
Oregon Recovers Advocacy Day is more than just a gathering—it’s a call to action. Leaders and community members meet with legislators to share their experiences and highlight the urgent need for better recovery services.
Bo Brinson, Executive Director of Oregon Recovers (listen to Bo’s episode here), explains how this event connects constituents with lawmakers, ensuring that recovery voices are heard at the policy level.

​"Recovery isn’t just personal—it’s political. If we don’t advocate for ourselves, who will?"
– Bo Brinson
​
Links to Guests' Episodes on the Real Recovery Podcast
How Peer Support and Community Programs Make an Impact
Advocacy isn’t just about policy—it’s about real people making a difference. Robert Sanders, Director of Adolescent Services at 4D Recovery (listen to Robert’s episode here), discusses how early intervention and prevention efforts are key to stopping addiction before it starts.
  • "We have a brief opportunity where people get that moment of willingness. If we don’t act fast, we lose them."
  • – Robert Sanders
Izzy Alvarado, Founder of Go The Distance (listen to Izzy’s episode here), emphasizes how physical movement and community support play a critical role in sustaining recovery after treatment.
Links to Websites Discussed:

"Treatment can only get you clean. But the real work happens when you build a foundation for long-term recovery."
– Izzy Alvarado
​
​Pushing for Change: Why Legislative Support Matters
This year, a major focus of Oregon Recovers is pushing for an alcohol tax increase, which could generate millions in funding for recovery services.

"Oregon ranks dead last in access to care. It’s time to change that."
– Amanda Ireland Esquivel

Amanda Ireland Esquivel, Founder of True Colors Recovery (listen to Amanda’s episode here), highlights the lack of resources for marginalized communities and why these funds are urgently needed.
​The Power of Showing Up
The biggest takeaway from this episode? Advocacy works when people show up. Whether you’re in recovery, a supporter, or just someone who cares about community health, attending events like Oregon Recovers Advocacy Day can make a real impact.
If you want to get involved:
Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day takes place on March 5th, 2025, at the State Capitol in Salem, OR. If you're passionate about recovery, advocacy, and real policy change, this is your chance to show up and make a difference.
Listen to this episode: https://mdcr1.com/481
Read the blog post: https://mdcr1.com/481b
​#RealRecoveryPodcast #AdvocacyMatters #OregonRecovers #PortlandAdvocacyDay #AddictionRecovery #PeerSupport #PolicyChange #RecoveryCommunity

Show Notes:

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:
Links to Guests' Episodes on the Real Recovery Podcast
Call to Action:
Oregon Recovers & Portland Advocacy Day takes place on February 13, 2025, at the State Capitol in Salem, OR. If you're passionate about recovery, advocacy, and real policy change, this is your chance to show up and make a difference.
Learn more: https://portlandadvocacyday.com/
Register now: https://oregonrecovers.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/oregonrecovers/event.jsp?event=711&
Listen to this episode now: https://mdcr1.com/0481
Read the blog post: https://mdcr1.com/0481b
Hashtags & Mentions:
#RealRecoveryPodcast #AdvocacyMatters #OregonRecovers #PortlandAdvocacyDay #AddictionRecovery #PeerSupport #PolicyChange #RecoveryCommunity