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.

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Chances are you've come across Omar Apollo's sultry, tender voice one way or another — whether it was via his NPR Tiny Desk Concert or his acclaimed studio album "Ivory," which garnered him a Best New Artist nod at the Grammy's.

🎤 The latest: The Mexican-American singer-songwriter will present his latest album, "God Said No," at Edgefield on Wednesday.

• It's his reflection on heartbreak, and features down-bad power ballads (akin to another R&B darling, Frank Ocean), as well as Robyn-esque crying on the dance floor-type pop hits.

🎥 Plus: Apollo will make his acting debut in director Luca Guadagnino's "Queer," which opens in theaters this winter.

• Catch him before he blows up.

If you go: Kevin Abstract opens. Doors 5pm. Tickets start around $60.

💨 A planned auction to sell the rights to develop offshore wind energy farms along the southern Oregon coast was called off after Gov. Tina Kotek stepped in.

• Local tribes sued the federal government over the sale last month and called for an environmental report. (Reuters)

⚽️ Christine Sinclair is leaving the game. The founding Thorns player announced she's retiring from the National Women's Soccer League at the end of the season. (Associated Press)

🤝 Portland's Small Donor Elections program knew about city council candidates swapping donations with one another as means to qualify for matching public funds weeks before it addressed the issue.

• Donation swapping likely violates state campaign finance statutes and the secretary of state is investigating. (Willamette Week)

🌁 Salesforce, the San Francisco-based software maker, announced it will close its Hillsboro office in the new year and lay off — or potentially transfer — the 150 employees that work there. (Portland Business Journal)

😢 A rare combination of botulism and avian flu has killed over 80,000 birds — waterfowl and shorebirds — at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the Oregon-California border over the last few months. (The Oregonian)

Aaaaaaaand he's back! How well do you know your city parks?

🤔 Only one hint this week: This spot is named after another with biblical significance.

🐕 Do you know where Joby is? The more detail, the better.

• Those who guess correctly will get a special shout out in this very newsletter.
• The answer will be revealed Wednesday.

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