"Fentanyl Crisis Grips Northwest Rural Areas, Overwhelms Emergency Services"

The drug and homelessness crises in Oregon have impacted rural areas, with Yamhill County being particularly affected. Fentanyl use has surged, leading to overdoses and a lack of addiction treatment services in rural communities. While Portland's economic success is seen as beneficial for the entire state, rural areas feel neglected and left out of the conversation. Lawmakers are considering re-criminalizing drug possession and addressing public drug use, with hopes that policies will benefit the entire state, not just urban areas.