In a significant move aimed at combating the surge in opioid overdoses, Portland Fire & Rescue unveiled a pioneering pilot program last week. This initiative involves the distribution of medications, including buprenorphine. The program is designed to address opioid use disorder effectively by curbing cravings. Buprenorphine is less heavily regulated and, therefore, more accessible than its counterpart, methadone.

CareOregon Grant Will Provide Immediate Help to People With OUD

This development comes on the heels of a City Council decision greenlighting the acceptance of a generous $400,000 grant from CareOregon, the state’s Medicaid insurer. Aiming at helping people with opioid use disorder (OUD), they will now provide easily accessible help for people who want help on the spot. The city council earmarked the funds for the groundbreaking program, slated to enroll patients right after a 911 response, starting from Feb. 5.

The program’s primary objective is to tackle the alarming surge in overdoses, particularly downtown, fueled by the prevalence of the potent and affordable opioid fentanyl on Portland’s streets. Last year, King County faced more than 782 deaths caused by overdoses, many of them involving fentanyl and other opioids. The number of overdose deaths is expected to grow due to a backlog in crime labs that find the cause of death.  Over 111,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in a 12-month period that ended in April of 2023.

Aiming to circumvent the expensive transport to emergency rooms, the joint efforts of the city and county underline the situation’s urgency. The city and county are committed to monitoring the program’s success by tracking the number of patients who sustain their enrollment.

Initiative May Save Lives Of People With Opioid Use Disorder

Dr. Richard Bruno, Multnomah County Health Officer, emphasized the significance of this approach, stating, “Being able to provide life-saving medications for opioid use disorder at the time paramedics respond, as opposed to waiting for patients to arrive at the emergency room or follow up at a clinic, is a promising method to reduce overdose deaths and pave the way for lasting recovery for community members.”

This innovative program dovetails with another recent initiative from PF&R’s Community Health Section. Smaller vehicles are now dispatched to attend to overdoses, a departure from the previous reliance on massive 80,000-pound ladder trucks. This multi-pronged strategy underscores Portland authorities’ commitment to addressing the opioid crisis comprehensively and proactively.