Oregon sees highest fentanyl overdose death increase in the nation
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A new report shows that Oregon’s fentanyl overdose rate has grown 1,500% since before the pandemic, the highest rate of increase in the U.S.
The data comes from records held by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Every state that reported fentanyl deaths saw an increase. But, Oregon’s increase of about 1,530% topped the charts, with 1,268 deaths between September 2019 and September 2023.
Oklahoma, with an anticipated 717 deaths last year compared to 67 five years earlier, ranks behind Oregon in terms of the biggest percentage increase from 2019 to 2023.
Washington state came in fourth, with an estimated 2,653 deaths. Conversely, states along the East Coast saw some of the lowest increases.
The dramatic increase in fentanyl deaths prompted officials to declare a 90-day state of emergency last month in Portland.
Copyright 2024 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.
