County Commissioners Clash Over Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia to Fentanyl Users

Two Multnomah County commissioners are urging the county health department to postpone its plan to distribute tinfoil and straws to fentanyl smokers. While they support harm reduction efforts, the commissioners argue that there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of this initiative and that the county lacks the capacity to connect individuals to treatment. The county's rationale for the program is to encourage smoking instead of injecting, which reduces the risk of disease transmission, and to provide fentanyl test strips and overdose reversal drugs. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and other politicians have criticized the program, but they have no authority over county programming. Commissioner Sharon Meieran calls for immediate action to address the fentanyl crisis, declaring it a public health emergency. Commissioner Susheela Jayapal seeks further clarification from the Public Health Department. Commissioner Lori Stegmann and County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson have not responded to requests for comment.