Oregon’s overdose deaths decreased 22% between December 2023 and December 2024, a trend similar to that experienced nationwide, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.
“It is heartening to see this decrease in deaths due to overdose in Oregon, but the total still remains far too high, impacting families and communities across our state,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at the OHA Public Health Division. “We must continue to work together to keep people safe and build treatment and recovery supports for people struggling with substance use disorder.”
The count is still much higher than pre-pandemic years, with 1,480 deaths within that one-year time span, CDC data show. The preliminary data signify a decrease in fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Oregon from 2023 to 2024.
The decreasing trend is likely due to a combination of factors, including strengthened substance use treatment infrastructure, naloxone distribution and education, prevention programs, and changes in the illicit drug supply with less fentanyl overall. This is good news, officials say, but work to reduce drug use and overdose is as important as ever.
While a decrease in overdose deaths is notable, Oregon’s substance use and overdose rates represent an ongoing and complex public health crisis created by multiple social, economic and systemic factors. Implementing a population health approach includes both upstream and downstream initiatives that can decrease substance use initiation and promote improved quality of life and well-being among Oregonians.
Some specific investments that are contributing to Oregon’s decrease in overdoses include the following:
Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse
- The Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse works with any organization that wants support in responding to the fentanyl crisis. The Clearinghouses began with six agencies and now works with more than 380 agencies across the state. All these agencies are locally oriented. These partnerships are with diverse groups that meet members of the community in a wide range of settings and circumstances.
Opioid treatment programs
- Oregon has been steadily increasing the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs). There are 27 full-service OTPs in Oregon, two OTP medication units, and four mobile OTP units. This includes nine new OTP sites over the last biennium.
- Oregon also expanded telehealth for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and removed of prior authorizations for MOUD.
Residential treatment capacity
- In June 2024, OHA published a landmark study on the state’s residential treatment capacity. That study has been the foundation for immediate and long-term investments to increase residential capacity across the state. Currently, 260 beds dedicated to SUD treatment are in development and 41 beds dedicated to withdrawal management are in development.
Behavioral Health Regional Networks (BHRNs)
- BHRNs are funded through cannabis tax revenue, Drug Treatment and Recovery Services Funds. Between 2022 and 2025, $414 million has been allocated to BHRNs statewide.
- BHRNs assess their communities’ needs and tailor programming and services across six core areas: screening and assessment, harm reduction, housing services, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, supported employment and peer support services.
- Engagement across every category of service has grown steadily since 2022, with particularly notable increases for peer support services, SUD treatment, and harm reduction services
Investment in the peer support services and system
- Peer services for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in Oregon are designed to provide support, guidance and encouragement from individuals who have lived experience with recovery.
- These services foster connection, reduce stigma and empower individuals on their recovery journey.
- Programs supported by the OHA focus on harm reduction, recovery planning and building healthy relationships.
- These services are available in every county.
Source: Oregon Health Authority