Oregon's overdose deaths fall, but disparities remain
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Drug overdose deaths fell sharply in Oregon last year, according to preliminary CDC data, mirroring a larger nationwide trend.
Driving the news: Oregon saw a 22% reduction in overdose deaths — an estimated 1,480 people died from opioid overdoses in the state in 2024, compared to 1,900 in 2023.
- Nationwide, overdose deaths fell by more than 26% over that same period.
The intrigue: It's a notable shift from last April, when CDC data showed that fatal overdoses in Oregon had increased in the previous 12 months, even as they declined nationwide.
Between the lines: The drop in overdose deaths is partly due to the wider availability of naloxone which reverses an opioid overdose, per CBS News.
- Narcan, the best-known version of the drug, was made available over the counter in 2023. It is standard issue for first responders and available in other public places, though that's not always the case in Multnomah County.
Yes, but: The decline isn't falling on all communities equally. Places like Clatsop County saw a record number of deaths last year, according to KGW, even as statewide numbers fell.
- The level of overdose deaths remains far above where it was before the pandemic, likely due to the introduction of fentanyl into the drug supply.