On Monday, March 18, Multnomah County Health Department will launch an outdoor advertising campaign to encourage, inspire and support more people connecting to recovery services.
The media campaign, which includes billboards, posters and social media, will launch countywide. Nine major billboards and 34 arterial billboards will be placed in high-traffic areas. Ad placements are in zip codes ordered by 911 overdose call data. The social media component will tell recovery stories of people living in Multnomah County.
The campaign has two key messages: first, encourage more people to access recovery services by calling Lines 4 Life (9-8-8) or visiting RecoveryNetworkofOregon.org for free, culturally-specific recovery services. The second key message is to support people currently in recovery. Studies show 90% of people do not access recovery services due to social stigma and fear of judgment. By showing the moments that make recovering from addiction worth it, the campaign aims to remove some of the judgment and stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.
“I hope this critical campaign will help people who are looking for treatment and support, as well as those actively in recovery,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “It will reduce the stigmas around seeking help and provide hope and encouragement to our entire community. People recover. Lives are transformed every day. Stories of recovery are happening all around us and I look forward to seeing the impact of these stories on the lives of Multnomah County residents.”
The campaign goals include increasing the number of addiction support calls and enrollment into local recovery programs. This will be measured by the numbers of referral calls to Lines 4 Life and the number of web visits, app downloads, and enrollments through RecoveryNetworkofOregon.org.
“We want this campaign to encourage hope and lead to more supportive, non-judgmental conversations that help people who are interested in reducing or stopping their substance use,” said Health Department Director Rachael Banks. “We know that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection and community and we want folks to know that support exists and recovery is possible.”
The campaign began development six months ago after the Health Department’s 2024 Overdose Prevention and Response Plan identified two priorities: promoting recovery services and youth-focused fentanyl prevention and awareness messages. The second youth targeted campaign will launch at the end of April 2024.
The Recovery is Possible campaign costs $99,600 and will run from March 18 to Sept. 1, 2024. Examples of the campaign’s assets: .