Oregon overdose deaths fell for the first time in years

Oregon overdose deaths fell for the first time in years

Oregon wasn’t alone in the downward trend in deaths.

CDC: Oregon sees 420 fewer overdose deaths in 2024 amid nationwide drop

CDC reports a sharp decline in Oregon drug overdose deaths in 2024, marking the first drop in years after a deadly surge during and after the pandemic.

‘It’s Like a War Zone’: What Happened When Portland Decriminalized Fentanyl

With Ballot Measure 110 in 2020, Oregon decriminalized possession of small amounts of hard drugs like fentanyl and meth. The idea was to emulate programs in Portugal and France that had successfully reduced overdoses and public drug use. Four years later, it was clear decriminalization had not worked, more people were overdosing in the streets, and the measure was repealed. For Rolling Stone, Jason Motlagh spoke with business owners, treatment w…