In downtown Portland’s fentanyl crisis, Oregon leaders declare emergency
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson made the declaration for a 90-day period during which collaboration and response will come from a command center downtown… an incident command structure akin to those used during emergency events such as the coronavirus pandemic or severe weather incidents.
The three governments are directing their agencies to work with first responders in connecting people addicted to the synthetic opioid with resources including drug treatment programs and to crack down on drug sales. The effort also extends the Portland Police Bureau’s partnership with Oregon State Police to jointly patrol downtown streets for fentanyl sales. It additionally kicks off information campaigns centered on drug use prevention and recovery programs across the region. The county will expand outreach and training on how to administer Narcan, an overdose-reversal drug… “Our country and our state have never seen a drug this deadly addictive, and all are grappling with how to respond,” Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement. “We are all in this together.”
Original Article (ABC News & OPB & Oregon Live):
Fentanyl state of emergency declared in downtown Portland, Oregon & Gov. Tina Kotek, local leaders declare 90-day fentanyl state of emergency for downtown Portland & In downtown Portland’s fentanyl crisis, Oregon leaders declare emergency
Artwork Fair Use: Tony Webster
