Drug abuse in Oregon
Oregon has a population of 4,246,155 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 884,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 20.82% of the population. 796,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 1,201,000 in the past year. The report also found that 108,000 Oregon residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 57,000 had abused meth, and 153,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 29,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Oregon totaled 151,000 people.
Alcohol abuse in Oregon
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Oregon with 2,158,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 935,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 1,681,000 people.
Overdose deaths in Oregon
In 2021, Oregon saw a total of 1087 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Oregon at 25.6 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1255 or 29.5 per 100,000 people.
Addiction treatment statistics in Oregon
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Oregon and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 815,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 547,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 103,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 373 people in Oregon needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 512,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 740,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
Local government assistance in Oregon
The Oregon Health Authority(OHA) offers Addiction Services to help improve health and safety through a coordinated alcohol and drug prevention and recovery system.
Oregon State is committed to establishing a more health-based, honest, and practical approach to drug addiction. Instead of responding to addiction cases with criminalization, they now want to prioritize treatment and recovery.
If you’re considering going for a medical detox program, you should consider Medicaid because substance abuse treatment is covered under mental health services in this state.
They also offer Oregon Health Plan Coverage, Oregon's form of Medicaid, to cover a range of drug and alcohol treatment programs. The plan accepts children, seniors, pregnant women, and people living with disabilities.
OHA is working on expanding the use of peer-delivered services in helping to transform the behavioral health system and encourage addiction recovery.
Contact the Oregon Health Authority for any addiction services or questions through their Alcohol and Drug Helpline: 1-800-923-4357.