Emergency Declared Over Fentanyl Crisis in Portland

State, County, and City officials in Oregon have declared a 90-day state of emergency for Portland’s Central City area as the ongoing fentanyl crisis continues to impact public health and safety in the area. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a tri-government fentanyl emergency on Tuesday. The declaration followed recommendations by the governor-established Portland Central City Task Force late last year aimed at “rejuvenating” the Central City area, which spans from Goose Hollow to the Lloyd District, and is also battling an ongoing homelessness crisis. As part of the emergency response, the city, state, and county will direct relevant agencies to work alongside each other and commit available resources to tackle the crisis, including establishing a “command center” in the central city through which various agencies will coordinate strategies and response efforts....