Oregon Fentanyl Deaths Soar by 1,526 Percent

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that fentanyl overdose deaths in Oregon grew by a staggering 1,526% since before the pandemic, eclipsing all other states. The next highest was Oklahoma, with 954 percent growth. As of September 2019, Oregon had tallied  77 known fentanyl overdose deaths for the 12 months prior. The drug was blamed for two deaths per 100,000 people in the state. In the 12-month period prior to September 2023, deaths from the cheap, powerful opioid soared to an estimated 1,268, accounting for 30 deaths per 100,000. Fentanyl now accounts for the largest number of drug overdose deaths in the state. But it is not Oregon’s only drug problem....