Eugene, OR– Oregon is experiencing a rise in drug overdose fatalities, continuing a troubling trend, while the national figures are showing improvement.
Each year, the Oregon Health Authority publishes statistics regarding overdose fatalities. This week’s report highlights overdose statistics from Oregon for the year 2023. Officials stated that the process of collecting and analyzing the information requires almost a full year. The information for 2024 is currently under review.
Recent findings indicate a significant increase in overdose fatalities in Oregon, rising by more than 30% in 2023 compared to the previous year. In 2022, Oregon recorded 1,383 overdose fatalities, which increased to 1,833 in 2023.
Recent statistics reveal that Oregon, Washington, and Alaska are at the forefront of a significant rise in overdose fatalities, experiencing a notable increase of 27%.
According to the CDC, there was a 3% decrease in overdose deaths across the United States. This represents the initial indication of a decrease in overdose fatalities across the country in six years. Maine and Indiana are at the forefront, achieving a remarkable 15% decrease in overdose fatalities.
Health officials reported that more than half of the overdose fatalities in Oregon this year were attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. There has been a significant drop in fatalities linked to heroin overdoses.
KOIN 6 News inquired with on-site officials regarding the ongoing increase in overdose fatalities within the unhoused community in Oregon.
“I believe the impact is still present — or was certainly felt during that period — due to the pandemic,” stated Jonathan Modie, a representative from OHA.
Modie clarified that the fentanyl crisis first emerged on the East Coast of the United States. The West Coast, particularly Oregon, experienced a setback, but “when it arrived, it was intense,” he remarked.
Scott Kerman serves as the executive director of Blanchet House, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding the homeless community in Portland.
“It’s clear that 2023 has been an incredibly devastating year regarding overdoses,” Kerman stated. “I can’t recall if I ever mentioned the term ‘fentanyl’ last year.”
Authorities indicated that preliminary figures for 2024 could suggest positive developments ahead.
“We have some early indications from the 2024 data suggesting that Oregon might be experiencing a comparable trend with a reduction in overdoses,” Modie stated. “The impact of all the efforts, including prevention and treatment, typically unfolds over several years, influencing the broader situation regarding overdose in Oregon.”
The OHA announced that numerous funding initiatives and programs are anticipated to significantly address the fentanyl crisis in Oregon in the near future. Instances encompass expanding the availability of naloxone, enhancing access to addiction treatment services, boosting peer support and intervention initiatives, maintaining educational outreach efforts, and supplying additional schools with naloxone kits.
Financial support is anticipated to significantly impact the opioid epidemic, including settlements from legal actions against various opioid manufacturers amounting to $600 million, which will be allocated in Oregon over the next 18 years. Governor Tina Kotek has proposed $155 million in her 2025-27 budget for initiatives aimed at addressing addiction and aiding individuals in recovery.
