Disturbing Surge in Child Fentanyl Overdoses Shakes Portland, Oregon
In a distressing turn of events, Portland, Oregon, has been grappling with a surge of nearly a dozen children, including a 1-year-old, falling victim to fentanyl overdoses since the onset of June. This alarming situation has compounded the city’s struggle to combat the most devastating overdose crisis in the history of the United States.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, ten minors have suffered from overdoses since June, with strong suspicions that fentanyl played a role in all but one of these tragic cases. Tragically, half of these incidents have resulted in fatalities, including a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, 5-year-old, and two 15-year-olds, as disclosed in a news release by the Portland Police Bureau.
This heart-wrenching trend mirrors a growing problem across the nation, as children succumb to fentanyl overdoses amid the escalating opioid crisis. Federal data indicates that last year alone, the opioid crisis claimed nearly 80,000 lives. In the past month, a 2-year-old south of Seattle, a 1-year-old in a New York City daycare, and a 15-month-old in California all lost their lives due to suspected fentanyl exposure.
In response to the crisis, Portland’s law enforcement has taken action by intensifying patrols to quell an open-air fentanyl market located within an abandoned downtown building. Additionally, Oregon’s Democratic Governor, Tina Kotek, recently announced her plans to address the inflow of fentanyl into the state.
Governor Kotek has directed the Oregon State Police to augment staff on local drug enforcement teams, enhance patrol and detective resources, and employ other strategies aimed at disrupting the fentanyl supply chain. The situation has raised concerns among Portland’s police, with the number of juvenile overdoses since June surpassing the total for the past three years combined. It’s important to note that these incidents are considered “suspected” overdoses until confirmed by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
As the gravity of this situation continues to unfold, the police bureau’s narcotics and organized crime unit is leaving no stone unturned in its investigation of all these cases. The urgent need for swift and comprehensive action is evident, as the community grapples with the devastating impact of these child fentanyl overdoses.