Tri-government leaders reflect on end to 90-day fentanyl emergency

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With the end of the 90-day fentanyl emergency in Multnomah County, Oregon’s leaders will held a press conference Friday morning to share what’s next.

Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson talked about the public health and safety crisis that spurred the declaration of the fentanyl emergency in January 2024.

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”The fentanyl crisis is unprecedented, and our response must match that urgency,” Chair Vega Pederson said. “We’ve convened providers, piloted street-level outreach, created
new epidemiological dashboards and perhaps most importantly – dramatically increased
coordination and collaboration that will last far beyond these 90 days.”

The 90-day fentanyl emergency for the county ended Monday. But the declaration brought different organizations to coordinate with each other as well as an educational campaign and expanded outreach programs.

“This 90-day emergency response has not only enhanced our collective capabilities but also
deepened our commitment to confronting the devastating impacts of fentanyl in Portland,” Mayor Wheeler said.

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Among the most notable actions taken during the 90-day period was the suspension of two Bottle Drop sites that law enforcement claimed to have been hotspots for the fentanyl market.

Officials also increased bike patrols from the Portland Police Bureau as well as the distribution of naloxone, or Narcan, through the city in an effort to prevent overdoses.

But still this year, more people have died from overdoses in three of the first four months when compared to years past. Gov. Kotek said work still needs to be done.

“Just over three months ago, the Mayor, Chair and I shared that the uniqueness of the fentanyl
crisis required us to respond with the highest possible level of coordination. The 90-day tri-government fentanyl emergency achieved that and much more,” Gov. Kotek said.
“There is certainly more work to do, and the state will continue to be a key partner.”

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Next steps include the development of an intake facility that can accept referrals from law enforcement, local community organizations and more. The tri-government effort will also focus on creating more recovery housing for those battling with addiction.

More information about the impacts of the 90-day fentanyl emergency can be found in the following joint press release:

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