Targeted Response Teams Fight Fatalities

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The rise of fentanyl addiction and related deaths is undeniably noticeable, and has personally affected many of us. Within the houseless communities and party scene, fentanyl deaths are leading killers. Various other street drugs are showing up laced with fentanyl, which can easily lead to overdose and death at worst, and feed addiction, at best.

Now, Portland Fire & Rescue (the city’s fire department) has added a narrowly targeted response team to help save lives from being snuffed out by this poison flooding cities across the country. Funding for a one-year pilot program to help the opioid crisis crew serve the community better is coming through a grant by CARE Oregon.

That it amounts to a paltry $389,577 highlights the stark contrast in priorities: A local starter home sells for more than what we allocate to combat a life-threatening epidemic. Despite the grim reality of the mounting fentanyl epidemic, the allocation of resources remains shockingly low.

In Portland, the Community Health Assess and Treat team (CHAT) will be able to administer Narcan to save lives in emergencies, and buprenorphine to help control opioid use disorder. The Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Program operates under the belief that treating the symptoms of opioid disorder will help save lives and steer people onto a path of sustainable recovery. CHAT teams will direct individuals to addiction treatment resources in the area such as drug counseling and after-care services.

The grant from CARE Oregon covers program expenses until the summer of 2025 when the pilot program will be assessed and judged on its efficacy.

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, additional funding for the program by the City of Portland itself will not be on the agenda. In fact, Portland Fire & Rescue is facing the likelihood of serious budget cuts.

However, the Portland City Council has said it believes in this outreach program and will support it, helping to connect affected people to appropriate services during 911 calls.