In a bold move to address the rampant drug problem in Portland, Oregon, Democratic Governor Tina Kotek has declared a 90-day state of emergency.
This comes just over a year after the state became the first in the nation to decriminalize drug use in 2020. Joining Kotek in declaring the emergency is Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, showing a united effort to tackle the pressing issue.
The emergency declaration comes as a result of the alarming rise in fentanyl use in Portland. Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, has been responsible for a significant portion of drug-related deaths in the city. Governor Kotek stated, “Development of a system to efficiently track and coordinate existing resources to assist people impacted by fentanyl use should be completed in not more than 90 days,” highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As part of the emergency response, a command center will be set up in the central city, where state, county, and city employees will work together to coordinate efforts and develop strategies.
The command center will play a crucial role in refocusing existing resources, sharing and publicly reporting data on the impacts of fentanyl, and identifying any gaps in service. This data-driven approach aims to establish a sustainable system to address the crisis beyond the initial 90 days.
In 2020, Oregon passed Measure 110, which decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. However, the measure has faced criticism, with Washington County district attorney Kevin Barton stating, “We’ve had three years of this law that has not delivered on the promises that voters thought they were getting.” Despite decriminalization, overdoses in the state have continued to rise, prompting this emergency declaration.
Haven Wheelock, the harm reduction manager of the medical and youth care nonprofit center Outside In, believes that the crisis has been developing for decades and requires a coordinated effort to address it. “If this is what it’s going to take to get the attention and the care and the funding and the coordination that this tragic issue deserves, then I’m going to remain hopeful about that,” she stated. The emergency declaration has been welcomed by many organizations and individuals working towards addiction recovery in the state.
Jesse Cornett, the policy director for the recovery organization Oregon Recovers, emphasized the lack of resources for those in crisis, stating, “If you talk to any police officer in the metro area, in Portland specifically, they don’t even have anywhere to take anyone that’s in crisis right now.” Cornett believes that a sobering center, which provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol, should be a priority in the emergency response.
The emergency declaration has sparked discussions about long-term solutions to the drug problem in Portland. Some believe that treatment and harm reduction programs should receive more attention and funding in the state.
Others suggest that addressing the root causes of drug addiction, such as poverty and mental health issues, should be a focus. Regardless, the 90-day state of emergency is a necessary step toward combatting the fentanyl crisis in Portland.
