In a controversial move, health officials will begin distributing tin foil, straws and snorting kits to drug users throughout Portland this month, officials said.
The Multnomah County Health Department announced Friday that it will offer the drug paraphernalia for those using fentanyl and other hard drugs, and offer other services to addicts as part of its “Harm Reduction Program,” KOIN 6 reported.
Department spokeswoman Sarah Dean told the news outlet that a spike in Portland’s fentanyl use decreased the demand for needle-focused “harm reduction” services. Because fentanyl is typically smoked rather than injected, she said visits to clinics have dropped 60% since 2019.
“The new part of the program is that we’re adding supplies for people who smoke drugs,” added Jessica Guernsey, Multnomah County’s public health director. “We’ve seen a shift from injection drug use to smoking drug use, so that we can engage people who may not otherwise engage in services.”
However, the move has some pols fuming in the lefty city.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, said he “adamantly” opposes the decision to distribute the drug paraphernalia.
“This misguided approach also results in greater risk to public safety for those who simply want to enjoy our city without walking through a cloud of toxic smoke,” Wheeler said. “Our community would benefit more from the county using its funding to urgently increase and sobering facilities rather than actively enabling this deadly epidemic.”
Dean insisted that providing access to drug paraphernalia does not increase illegal drug use, but rather encourages junkies to visit clinics, which offer fentanyl test strips and Narcan, an overdose antidote.
“Building relationships with people actively using substances also gives our department more insight into emerging public health issues that impact this population,” she said. “We are able to directly hear from our clients when there are concerning changes to the drug supply, increased wound issues, or other related issues that are of public health concern.”
The Oregon Legislature recently passed a bill to decriminalize the distribution of drug paraphernalia, Dean noted. The legislation awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature before going into law.
