Oregon has seen the largest increase in fentanyl overdose deaths in the US, surging 1,530% since 2019 according to CDC data.
Between 2019-2022 there were 1268 fentanyl deaths in Oregon, which is attributed to the passage of Measure 110 in 2020 that decriminalized drugs.
“We have a crisis on our hands, and that’s easy to see,” Rep. Lucetta Elmer said.
“We have drugs that are just rampant, and we’re seeing public drug use daily,” she added. “Extreme homelessness and garbage everywhere. It’s unsafe, and it’s unsightly, but it’s also heartbreaking because, literally, our fellow citizens are dying.”
This drastic increase far outpaces other states like Oklahoma which saw the second largest rise.
Local leaders in both urban and rural Oregon are calling it a crisis and begging the state for help as the issue has spread beyond major cities.
While some actions have been taken, the situation remains dire as drug and homeless problems worsen with citizens continuing to die from overdoses.
