Oregon

Latest data show overdoses continue to skyrocket in Oregon

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

Latest data show overdoses continue to skyrocket in Oregon

An authentic 30mg oxycodone pill, left, compared to a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl, in this image from the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” campaign.

Courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

As lawmakers prepare to tackle the state’s addiction crisis, new data from the Oregon Health Authority shows how dire the addiction crisis has become.

In 2019, 280 people died of a drug overdose in Oregon. Fatalities rose every year after, more than tripling by 2022, when 956 died. And last year, even more people died, according to preliminary data. Each month the number has been higher than the previous year, reaching 628 in June. The state is still compiling data for 2023, but if the trends continue, the total would reach 1,250 deaths from an overdose.

The number of patients seeking help in emergency departments and urgent care centers also rose last year to more than 300.

The overdose trend is expected to continue this year.

“Oregon’s overdose fatality rate is expected (to) sharply rise over the coming year due to the saturation of fentanyl in Oregon’s illicit drug supply,” Jonathan Modie, a public health spokesman, said in an email.

Oregon is flooded with fentanyl in the form of fake blue pills that are designed to resemble oxycodone 30-milligram pills, or M30s. They’re cheap, often costing a dollar each, and they’re often mixed with other drugs to make them more potent, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. There’s no way of knowing how much is in each pill, but 2 milligrams – enough to fit on the tip of a pencil – can kill. Many pills tested by the DEA contain much more than that, up to 5 milligrams, more than twice the lethal dose.

“Fentanyl is far more potent and fast acting than other opioids, which significantly increases a person’s risk of a fatal overdose,” Modie said.

Mexican drug dealers smuggle fentanyl into the U.S., often in the form of powder, and it’s distributed across the country. But Oregon has been particularly hard hit. It has among the highest rates of illicit drug use nationwide and the lowest access to treatment, Modie said.

“On average, more than 90 Oregonians die every month from overdoses,” he said.

The fatalities include an increasing number of young people, prompting the health authority in December to expand a harm reduction initiative, Save Lives Oregon, to schools. The program is offering three free kits of naloxone, an opioid reversal medication, to schools, colleges and universities that serve children at least 7 years old.

Last year, the Legislature passed a law designed to make naloxone or Narcan, a nasal spray, more available. It allows law enforcement officials, firefighters and emergency providers to distribute and administer the drug and allows school administrators, teachers or other school employees to treat students without their parents’ permission.

Narcan is available over the counter in Oregon, and pharmacists can prescribe naloxone, enabling people to seek reimbursement from their insurance company.

Health authority officials said naloxone is more available today than two years ago, but they don’t know how widespread it is nor how many people’s lives have been saved. Save Lives Oregon partners reported more than 7,500 opioid reversals since 2020.

People can carry naloxone with them in Oregon and administer the drug to someone experiencing an overdose. Typical signs include unconsciousness, slow or no breaths or snoring or gurgling sounds. People’s lips and the inside of their mouths also can turn blue or gray, and they may be unable to talk.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.

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Oregon

Johan Munch, Matija Samar lead Oregon State over San Diego 78-76 in OT

Published

12 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Johan Munch, Matija Samar lead Oregon State over San Diego 78-76 in OT

SAN DIEGO — Johan Munch scored 15 points and Matija Samar added six in the overtime as Oregon State knocked off San Diego 78-76 on Saturday.

Isaiah Sy made two free throws, Samar followed with a 3-pointer and the Beavers never trailed in OT.

Munch added nine rebounds for the Beavers (12-12, 5-6 West Coast Conference). Josiah Lake totaled 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. Dez White scored 12 on 4-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Sy pitched in with nine points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Toreros (10-14, 4-7) were led by Adrian McIntyre with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Assane Diop added 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Tim Moore Jr. finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five blocks.

Sy scored six points in the first half for Oregon State, who led 30-25 at the break. Lake scored 12 second-half points and hit the game-tying 3-pointer with 14 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime tied at 60-all.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Oregon

College football experts pick Oregon Ducks as 2026 national champions

Published

1 day ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

College football experts pick Oregon Ducks as 2026 national champions

The Oregon Ducks have accomplished just about everything possible for a college football team in the last few seasons. They’ve had an undefeated regular season, notched back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and won a ton of bowl games.

The Ducks have been transformed into a perennial contender, and the only thing still on their agenda is the elusive national championship victory. They’ve gotten closer to reaching that goal in each of Dan Lanning’s first four seasons as head coach, so it feels like just a matter of time.

The college football staff of The Athletic were polled on a wide range of predictions about next season, and the most eye-popping result was next season’s national championship game winner, with Oregon receiving the most votes. Nine people out of 28 votes for them, which may not seem too convincing, but the next closest team was the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with five votes.

The Ducks had their season ended by the Indiana Hoosiers, who went on to win the national championship. However, star quarterback Fernando Mendoza declared for the NFL Draft after the historic victory, so that could be enough to put Oregon in the driver’s seat.

Their own quarterback, Dante Moore, will be back in Eugene next year with another season of experience and a full arsenal of weapons around him to make another run at glory. It feels like this team will always be in contention under Lanning, but this year will be one of the best chances they ever have to finally bring home the national title.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

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Oregon

Oregon Kids Credit issued to some taxpayers in error: What to know

Published

2 days ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Oregon Kids Credit issued to some taxpayers in error: What to know

Some Oregonians who filed their taxes early may receive less than they thought as the Oregon Department of Revenue announced approximately 500 taxpayers will have their refund adjusted after receiving the state’s Kids Credit in error.

The agency provided incorrect instructions for tax forms and with tax preparation software partners at the start of the 2026 tax season regarding how to claim the Oregon Kids Credit.

“As a result, a small number of taxpayers who are not eligible for the Oregon Kids Credit calculated and claimed the Oregon Kids Credit on their returns,” the Department of Revenue said in a release. “An additional small number of taxpayers who are eligible to claim the Oregon Kids Credit claimed too large of a credit.”

Here’s what to know about the error and how it’s being corrected.

How many 2025 tax returns were impacted by the error?

Since the 2026 tax season opened on Jan. 26, the agency said it has processed about 135,000 returns, and the new federal deductions impacted fewer than 500 of those returns, according to the agency.

While the department expects that number to grow as the correction is updated across all filing systems, the agency anticipates that the total number of affected returns will remain low.

“Our IT team will work through the weekend to update our systems to make sure taxpayers don’t face delays because of this error,” DOR Chief Information Officer Jon Dolan said. “We expect Direct File Oregon to be accurately filing returns for Oregon Kids’ Credit claimants by early next week.”

The department recommends that taxpayers who plan to try to claim the Oregon Kids Credit wait to file until Direct File Oregon, or the tax filing software they use, has been fully updated.

What happens to Oregonians who may have received the tax credit in error?

The Department of Revenue is automatically adjusting any returns affected by the error.

Any Oregon taxpayer who may have received the Kids Credit or too large of a credit as a result of the error does not need to take any action. They will be notified of the adjustment by mail, as well as through their Revenue Online account.

“We will make the correction to their return, but we also want to manage taxpayers’ expectations,” Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld said. “Unfortunately, their refund may be less than they anticipated. We know that a difference of even $100 can be very impactful for low-income families with young children, and we sincerely apologize for the error.”

How can Oregonians correctly claim the Oregon Kids’ Credit?

Oregon taxpayers claiming the Oregon Kids Credit are now offered a new form of assistance by the Oregon Department of Revenue to ensure they claim the correct credit amount when they electronically file their tax year 2025 return.

What is the Oregon Kids’ Credit?

The Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for low-income families with young dependent children.

The full credit offers $1,050 per child, up to five children, on a modified adjusted gross income of $26,550 or less. A partial credit is also available for families with a modified adjusted gross income of up to $31,550.

What was the error?

To qualify for the Kids Credit, Oregonians must meet the requirements for their modified adjusted gross income.

The error stemmed from how new federal deductions created under House Resolution 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, for overtime pay, tips, and new car loan interest are calculated when determining Oregon taxpayers’ modified adjusted gross income.

According to the agency, the federal legislation made major changes to tax law that were quickly incorporated into Department of Revenue forms, instructions and processes. Incorrect instructions were provided on forms for the federal deductions, creating an error in calculating the modified adjusted gross income.

Where can Oregonians go if they have questions about the Kids Credit?

For any questions regarding the Oregon Kids’ Credit, Oregonians can visit the department’s website at www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/individuals/Pages/okc-faq.aspx.

Taxpayers can also call 503-947-0350 or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.

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