Oregon considers changes to involuntary civil commitment law

How can the music world create a more inclusive environment for all voices? That's a question that’s top of mind for some musicians and educators. We hear from Ash, the artistic director of Transpose PDX, a Portland nonprofit that has a community choir and acapella group aimed at empowering transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming musicians. We’ll also hear from Sarah Maines, a singing voice specialist and adjunct professor at the University of Portland, who teaches healthy vocal technique. They join us with details.

People with substance use disorders have suffered in the past, not only from the consequences of their addiction, but also from the stigma that their condition is a moral failing rather than a disease. The field of addiction medicine has shifted over time to one that treats people with these disorders as patients who suffer from a disease and who may benefit from a medication to treat it. One of the prescription medications is buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone. Oregon State University Professor of Pharmacy Daniel Hartung says buprenorphine is a life saving drug that can effectively keep patients from abusing opioids. The Biden administration has just loosened buprenorphine restrictions to make it easier for doctors to prescribe it.