Portland officials recently declared a 90-day state of emergency to combat rising fentanyl use, a highly potent synthetic painkiller.
Fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin, is a major factor in the rise of drug-related deaths nationwide.
While some blame drug legalization for increased deaths, officials say unregulated fentanyl use is the root cause of Portland’s harm.
“Our country and our state have never seen a drug this deadly addictive, and all are grappling with how to respond,” Governor Tina Kotek said.
Portland has been grappling with drug-related issues in recent years. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl in Multnomah County, where Portland is located, increased by 533% from 2018 to 2022.
Even more alarming are numbers that show the likelihood of homeless individuals dying from a drug overdose, which are 37 times higher than that of the general population, and these patterns are progressively worsening with each passing year.
Call to Action
Following these findings, Kotek announced a “tri-government” action plan involving the state, county, and city. The plan includes establishing a temporary command center, launching a drug prevention campaign, increasing outreach for addicts, and cracking down on drug dealing.
This police crackdown will involve law enforcement agencies working together to target drug dealers and reduce fentanyl availability.
While Portland’s decision to decriminalize most drug use through Measure 110 in 2020 remains in effect, the severity of the fentanyl issue has sparked discussions about re-criminalizing public drug use as a means of combating its devastating consequences.
Addiction-treatment groups worry that re-criminalization could increase overdoses, as individuals might use fentanyl in more concealed and unsafe settings. The 90-day state of emergency and action plan highlights the serious situation and commitment to harm reduction and public health. Kotek hopes collaboration, targeted interventions, and a balanced approach will help Portland tackle the fentanyl crisis and protect residents’ well-being.
