MARCHING FOR RELIEF –

Feb. 2, 2023 – More than 200 people gathered outside the Capitol for a rally to raise awareness about Oregon’s addiction crisis, which has affected thousands and included young and old and residents of urban and rural areas. The event, organized by the Portland-based advocacy group Oregon Recovers, was held amid grim data: The state has the highest rate of illicit drug use nationwide and ranks last in access to treatment, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health. “These stats have not changed in five years,” Mike Marshall, director of Oregon Recovers, said as he addressed the crowd. “Is that acceptable?”

The crowd responded: “No.”

Among the ideas Oregon Recovers backs: A package of proposals aimed at preventing opioid overdoses by making naloxone kits that reverse overdoses more available along with fentanyl test strips that check drugs for the deadly substance…

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