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Good morning, Northwest.
It’s been a year since Oregon gave up its pioneering experiment to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.
New criminal penalties have been in place for a year, and some counties have set up “deflection” programs to try to direct people toward treatment.
OPB law and justice reporter Conrad Wilson looks into the data on overdose deaths, drug arrests and completion of drug treatment programs to lead off this morning’s newsletter.
Public health reporter Amelia Templeton and editor Michelle Wiley report on Oregon, Washington and California forming a new health alliance to develop their own immunization guidelines, after upheaval last week at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Salem, Democratic state senators have paused the special legislative session while one of their members (and a key vote) recovers from surgery.
We’ve also got a rundown of how schools in Oregon are handling the statewide cellphone ban as kids return to classes.
Here’s your First Look at Wednesday’s news.
A Portland police officer use a fentanyl test kit during an arrest for drug possession in downtown Portland, Sept. 10, 2024.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
One year in, Oregon’s efforts to curb drug use are still a work in progress
One year ago, Oregon’s law recriminalizing drug possession went into effect. In the months since, counties across the state started to stand up drug deflection programs aimed at driving more people toward treatment resources or risk criminal penalties.
The situation in Oregon has shifted within the past year: Overdose deaths appear to be decreasing, arrests for drug possession have spiked, and there’s been a documented effort to get people into treatment.
Still, state officials say it’s too early to make sweeping statements or draw definitive conclusions about whether the state’s county-by-county approach, or its nascent programs, are helping connect drug users with treatment in ways that have met Oregonians’ expectations. (Conrad Wilson)
Syringes are prepared for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at a clinic in Lubbock, Texas, on Feb. 26, 2025.
Mary Conlon / AP
Oregon, Washington, California form health care alliance to protect vaccine access
The Democratic governors of Oregon, Washington and California are forming a new public health partnership aimed at preserving access to vaccines.
The partnership, called the Western Health Alliance, will develop its own immunization guidelines “informed by respected national medical organizations,” according to a press release Wednesday from the state’s governors.
The move comes a week after the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was fired for refusing to approve vaccine policies preferred by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. Jr. Several of the agency’s top career scientists have resigned in protest. (Amelia Templeton and Michelle Wiley)
Oregon Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, on Jan. 13, 2025.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
4 things to know this morning
- Oregon Democrats have delayed a vote on a transportation funding bill until Sept. 17 due to Sen. Chris Gorsek’s recovery from health complications. The pause complicates the state’s budget issues, with nearly 10% of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s workforce facing layoffs if the funding package isn’t approved by Sept. 15. (Dirk VanderHart)
- The Flat Fire in Central Oregon is now 67% contained, with the most severe evacuation orders lifted. Meanwhile, the Emigrant Fire in southern Lane County is still 0% contained, burning over 23,000 acres, causing air quality advisories. (OPB Staff)
- This year, families and educators in Oregon are paying special attention to two pressing issues: the state’s new cellphone ban and the unstoppable emergence of artificial intelligence as a force in education. (Natalie Pate)
- The strike by classified staff in the Evergreen School District is entering its second week due to stalled negotiations over pay increases. While the Southwest Washington district has offered some raises, it faces a $26 million shortfall. (Erik Neumann)
The Street Roots offices in Old Town Portland, Sept. 2, 2025.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Facing cuts, news outlet Street Roots asks for Portland’s help (Bryce Dole)
- Oregon state lawmaker wants death tax to die (Lauren Dake)
- Oregon State Parks to charge fees at 21 more state parks to address budget shortfall (Mia Maldonado)
- Home repair program in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood aims to improve public health, climate resilience (Rebecca Hansen-White)
- Merkley visits Gaza, Israel, says there must be 'an end to this war' (Alex Baumhardt)
Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation
“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):
- Oregon Arts Commission celebrates 50 years of public art and artists
- University of Oregon study shows fear of deportation changes with age
OPB’s ‘Stop Requested’ goes to Baker City
Last week, OPB boarded a bus in Portland — the first of eight transit lines — to Baker City for a special live presentation from “Stop Requested” on Friday, Aug. 29.
The livestreamed event featured storytelling and deep discussion with Baker City residents on the joys and challenges of rural public transit.
You can watch a recording of the livestream by clicking the button below.
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