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On Friday, the Oregon Capital Chronicle published a report outlining Rep. Andrea Salinas’ efforts to combat the region’s urgent fentanyl crisis, support Oregonians recovering from addiction, and provide Salem-area officials with the resources they need to help curb the epidemic.
In her meeting with local leaders, Salinas emphasized the need for a coordinated effort between law enforcement and prevention and community service groups, including investing in programs “that can help people find employment as they recover, help others, and develop a workforce to meet the needs.”
DCCC Spokesperson Dan Gottlieb:
“Day in and day out, Rep. Salinas shows up for her constituents and fights for the resources they deserve. Her work with local officials combatting Oregon’s fentanyl crisis is just the latest example of her leadership and drive to deliver on behalf of Oregonians.”
Oregon Capital Chronicle: Salinas seeks solutions to fentanyl overdose crisis in Oregon
Ben Botkin | January 5, 2024
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U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas told Salem area leaders on Friday that she’s committed to looking for ways to address the fentanyl overdose and addiction crisis gripping the region and state.
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Salinas, D-Oregon, heard one theme repeatedly during a discussion with law enforcement and community leaders at the Salem police station: Local officials want federal dollars to be flexible, so communities can tailor their efforts based on what works best.
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“It is an all-hands-on-deck moment where we need services to coordinate with law enforcement, to coordinate with prevention and community service groups,” Salinas told reporters afterwards.
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Hundreds of Oregonians die every year of fentanyl overdoses, and the numbers are growing. In Oregon, state lawmakers want to address the addiction crisis when the Legislature convenes on Feb. 5.
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[Salem Mayor Chris] Hoy stressed the urgency of the crisis and the need for prevention and a trained workforce that will help people before they die.
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Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack said fentanyl has grown more accessible and cheaper in the city, with a single pill available for about $1. The pills are parceled out in batches of 100 to 1,000 pills to street level dealers, who often are drug users themselves.
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Meanwhile, overdoses have increased.
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Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson said overdose deaths have soared in the county.
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Marion County has five suspected overdose deaths already this year, Clarkson said. That’s an average of one per day.
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And local leaders said they want to continue to invest in programs like the county’s Law Enforcement-Assisted Diversion initiative. Through that program, officers help people access social services like housing and recovery programs, with help from peers who have faced similar experiences.
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Salinas said programs like that can help people find employment as they recover, help others and develop a workforce to meet the needs.
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