Oregon leaders declare 90-day state of emergency to address Portland fentanyl crisis

Oregon leaders declared a 90-day state of emergency to focus on the fentanyl crisis in Portland, officials said. 

After struggling for years with widespread public drug use in Portland, Gov. Tina Kotek, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, all Democrats, each issued emergency orders Tuesday that direct officials to commit resources to address the crisis.

"Our country and our state have never seen a drug this deadly and addictive, and all are grappling with how to respond," Kotek said. 

The officials hope to "make a dent in this crisis," Kotek also said. "The next 90 days will yield unprecedented collaboration and focused resources targeting fentanyl and provide a roadmap for next steps." 

Oregon decriminalized public use of most drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, in 2020, according to The New York Times, and many cities are struggling with the effects of the first-in-the-nation law. 

The emergency declarations also set up a command center in central Portland to also address concerns that millions of taxpayer dollars are not being used effectively.

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