PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon leaders have declared a 90-day state of emergency in downtown Portland to address the city’s deadly fentanyl crisis. The emergency declaration was made by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. This move aims to funnel resources into combating the public health and public safety crisis caused by fentanyl use. The decision to declare an emergency comes in response to the rising number of overdoses, deaths, and fear driven by the use of this potent synthetic opioid. The leaders highlighted the urgent need to address the impact of fentanyl on the community.

This action follows the passage of Measure 110 in 2020, which decriminalized some use of hard drugs, including fentanyl. However, this measure has faced criticism as opioid overdose deaths have increased since its implementation. According to state data, opioid overdose deaths in Oregon rose from 280 in 2019 to 956 in 2022.

The decision to declare a state of emergency comes amid a national trend of increasing fentanyl-related overdoses. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly 70,000 people died of drug overdoses involving fentanyl in 2021, representing a significant increase over the past five years. Experts emphasize the importance of broadening access to and use of treatments for opioid use disorder to reverse the trend of overdose deaths.

The emergency declarations will allow the city, state, and county to allocate resources to the response and establish a command center in downtown Portland. The efforts will include public health campaigns, increased outreach to facilitate access to treatment, recovery, and housing services, as well as collaborative initiatives between law enforcement agencies to hold individuals selling the drug accountable.

This collaborative approach seeks to respond to the impact of fentanyl in downtown Portland and address the acute needs and gaps in service that have arisen as a result of the crisis. The city and state authorities are working in tandem to urgently address the human toll caused by fentanyl, which includes overdoses, fatalities, and the day-to-day suffering experienced by individuals and families in the community. The emergency declaration reflects a commitment to taking swift and effective action to combat the fentanyl crisis and provide support to those affected by its devastating consequences.