Oregon Capital Chronicle

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Gov. Tina Kotek said her administration will closely track the rollout of new programs and spending to address drug addiction and homelessness. | BEN BOTKIN/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Kotek promises to dog spending for drug addiction programs

Lawmakers put $211 million toward drug addiction treatment, programs and new residential facilities. Lawmakers also allocated $376 million for homeless shelters, housing, infrastructure and rent assistance.

Mar 15, 2024

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FREESTOCKS/UNSPLASH

Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board seeks public input about drug costs

Community forums across the state in April and May will address the soaring costs of prescription drugs

Mar 14, 2024

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon State Hospital superintendent announces her retirement

Dolly Matteucci will leave in March, creating a high-profile opening at the Oregon Health Authority

Mar 12, 2024

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Sara Barger, executive manager and policy liaison for 4D Recovery, visits with Mitch Wright, 31, in a recovery house in Gresham on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Wright, one of the house’s residents, said the house’s structure helped him turn his life around after drug addiction. | BEN BOTKIN/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Recovery houses in Oregon provide crucial transition in path toward drug-free life

Oregon lawmakers poised to allocate $18 million this session to help them grow

Mar 5, 2024

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Democratic state Rep. Jason Kropf of Bend and Democratic state Sen. Kate Lieber of Beaverton have orchestrated the meetings on their approach to Oregon's drug crisis. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

In first vote, committee passes controversial bill that would unwind Measure 110

Police and prosecutors support House Bill 4002, but civil rights advocates warn that it would usher in Oregon’s return to the failed war on drugs

Feb 29, 2024

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Senate committee axes proposal for mandatory addiction treatment for children

The Senate Human Services Committee trimmed the bill down to a pilot program giving drug users quick access to treatment medication

Feb 22, 2024

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Simon Fulford, executive director of Parrott Creek Child and Family Services in Oregon City, looks into a resident's room. For months, his organization has tried to seek state funding for youth residential addiction services. | MICHAEL ROMANOS/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Oregon Health Authority’s slowness to respond to drug crisis stymies expansion of care

Providers have ‘shovel ready’ projects, and the Legislature allocated millions last year but the health authority has yet to make any funding decisions

Feb 18, 2024

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Many counterfeit pills containing fentanyl are indistinguishable from oxycodone. | U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Addiction experts call on Legislature to step up funds for medication treatment of opioid misuse

Methadone is considered the gold standard in treating opioid misuse, and the state could use twice as many clinics as it has to address the demand, experts say

Feb 13, 2024

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This seizure on April 21, 2023 of 100,000 fentanyl pills, 3 kilograms of heroin and 1 kilogram of fentanyl in the La Grande area typifies street drugs in Oregon. | OREGON STATE POLICE

Lawmakers take first deep plunge into proposals to address the drug crisis

Most of the ideas would need funding, and that’s not yet been set

Feb 8, 2024

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PIXABAY

Disability Rights Oregon sues Washington County alleging it fails people in mental health crises

The lawsuit alleges the county’s system routes 911 calls for mental health assistance to police first, which means police are the primary agency that responds

Feb 6, 2024