Overdose deaths are falling in the U.S., but not in Oregon
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Overdose deaths are falling across the U.S., but not in Oregon.
Why it matters: A rise in overdoses led state lawmakers to reverse Oregon's first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law this spring.
- Yes, but: Research published last month found that the introduction of fentanyl into Oregon's illicit drug supply accounted for the growing number of overdose deaths, not Measure 110.
By the numbers: Between May 2023 and April 2024, Oregon saw nearly 1,900 overdose deaths — a 22% increase over the previous 12 months, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Nationwide, overdose deaths fell by 10% over the same period.
Between the lines: Oregon didn't see the same decline in overdose deaths because "fentanyl arrived here later than other states," Todd Korthuis, head of Oregon Health & Science University's addiction medicine section, told Axios.
- Several other Western states also saw their overdose deaths increase year over year, including Alaska (+42%), Washington (+14%), Nevada (+18%), Utah (+8%), and Colorado (+4%), per CDC data.
What they're saying: According to Korthuis, the number of overdose deaths continues to be high even in states that have seen a decrease in the past year.
- "We're not out of the woods," he said, adding that the best ways to prevent overdose deaths are by expanding access to naloxone and lowering barriers to methadone and buprenorphine treatment.
What they found: A recent study found that fentanyl rapidly spread throughout Oregon's drug supply in early 2021, just a few months after voters approved decriminalizing illegal drug possession.
- Researchers wrote that while Measure 110 faced its challenges — "addiction treatment capacity did not sufficiently expand to meet the state's needs" and police struggled to curb open-air drug use — they "did not find evidence" that it correlated with the rise in overdose deaths.
Zoom in: So far this year, there have been 292 confirmed overdose deaths in Multnomah County, according to the county's medical examiner data — 219 of which have been attributed to fentanyl.
What we're watching: How recriminalization, which went into effect Sept. 1, will impact overdose deaths.
- Multnomah County's planned deflection center — where drug users can receive access to treatment in lieu of jail time for possession — is slated to open in the coming weeks after receiving pushback from neighboring businesses and residents.