Oregon Capital Chronicle

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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

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U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. | MARK THOMAS/PIXABAY

Democratic attorneys general ask Supreme Court to allow current access to abortion pill

The abortion pill available through the mail and telehealth appointments should stay that way, two dozen Democratic attorneys general from Oregon, Washington and across the country urged the U.S. Supreme Court

Feb 1, 2024

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Devin Hall, 25, and Alicia Jacobs, 38, outside their tent in Marion Square Park in Salem on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. | BEN BOTKIN/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Amid the pain of addiction, few pin their hopes on the government

Oregon politicians want to empower police to make arrests for drug possession again to encourage treatment, but people on the streets say recovery is a choice

Jan 30, 2024

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Task force on beer and wine taxes and alcohol addiction gets to work

Alcohol kills more than 2,000 people and costs the state nearly $5 billion a year, according to the Oregon Health Authority

Jan 20, 2024

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SHUTTERSTOCK

OHA Ombuds report calls for improvements to children’s behavioral health

Report calls for Oregon to address disparities that prevent children and youth from accessing life-saving behavioral health services

Jan 4, 2024

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OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Flavored tobacco ban for Multnomah County set to start on Jan. 1

Nearly 8,000 Oregonians die every year from tobacco-related illnesses, according to the Oregon Health Authority

Dec 19, 2023

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THOMAS BREHER/PIXABAY

Wyden and Jayapal lead inquiry that finds pharmacies fail to protect medical privacy

Northwest lawmakers want the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve federal privacy regulations

Dec 14, 2023

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Capt. Lee Eby, commander of the Clackamas County Jail, talks about treating inmates with addiction during a tour of the facility’s medical unit on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. | BEN BOTKIN/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Though many jail inmates have addiction problems, facilities lack treatment services

Rep. Pam Marsh plans to introduce a bill in the 2024 session to provide funding for addiction medication, screenings and more

Dec 12, 2023