Governor Kotek Celebrates Opening Of New Opioid Treatment Program In Gresham - 10/27/26

Governor Kotek Celebrates Opening of New Opioid Treatment Program in Gresham

Gresham, OR — Governor Tina Kotek today joined community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of a New Season Treatment Center in Gresham that will bring comprehensive, outpatient medication assisted treatment (MAT) to East Multnomah County, including neighboring rural communities that have historically lacked direct access to specialized care.

The program offers evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder with methadone and buprenorphine, along with counseling. Services are outpatient, meaning the patient can continue to recover while continuing their daily activities like work or school uninterrupted. The center was made possible by a $1.8 million investment of state opioid settlement funds allocated by the Oregon Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Board. In support of Oregon’s commitment to reducing opioid deaths, the Board has funded 11 opioid treatment programs in high-need regions across the state.

“Treatment where people need it, when they need it, is absolutely critical to fighting the addiction crisis in Oregon,” Governor Kotek said. “We lose too many people on the path to recovery when there are gaps between communities and services. This program shows what’s possible when local, state, and regional partners work together.”

Bringing care closer to home

Residents of East Multnomah County have often had to travel too far, wait too long, or go without comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. The new clinic is located to serve both Gresham residents and surrounding rural communities. It will also build referral relationships with local healthcare, emergency, and social service providers, so people stay connected to their care network as they move forward in recovery.

“Expanding access to addiction care saves lives,” Ebony Clarke, Behavioral Health Director at the Oregon Health Authority, said. “Methadone reduces opioid-related harm, lowers the risk of fatal overdose, and helps people stabilize so they can rebuild their lives. Bringing services closer to where people live, work, and care for their families improves access, equity, and outcomes, and it supports our goal of eliminating health inequities.”

“Strong leadership and a community that shows up for its residents can change the course of recovery,” said Jim Shaheen, CEO of New Season Treatment Center. “We’re grateful to Governor Kotek, the Opioid Settlement Board and our local partners for welcoming us and helping bring treatment closer to home. Together, we’re giving more individuals the care and support they need for a happier, healthier life.”

The grand opening is part of a broader expansion of Oregon’s behavioral health system. Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, Oregon anticipates adding 1,722 licensed residential treatment beds, including 769 substance use disorder treatment beds. Of those, 1,052 beds are already open and serving Oregonians, with 670 additional beds scheduled to open in the next two and a half years. This represents a more than 61% increase in capacity. Prior to 2022, Oregon relied largely on limited, project‑specific investments or external private-sector funding to expand behavioral health capacity. Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, and in partnership with the Legislature, the state has begun a new chapter, aggressively funding increased capacity to meet the scale of need statewide.

The state is also working to address the behavioral health workforce shortage alongside this expansion. Led by First Lady Aimee Kotek, the Governor’s Behavioral Health Talent Council met with frontline providers, people with lived experience, and leaders across the state to produce a comprehensive report that is now guiding the state’s next steps.

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