Opioids are a class of drugs that reduce feelings of pain. Prescription opioids like Oxycodone and Vicodin are intended to treat moderate to severe pain and are often prescribed after a surgery or an injury. While prescription opioids have been used as painkillers, they have great potential for misuse.
Heroin and illicitly-made fentanyl and drugs like it called fentanyl analogs are also present throughout Oregon and Clackamas County and contribute greatly to the opioid crisis.
Learn more about the dangerous counterfeit pills we are seeing in the region.
People are more likely to die from an illicit fentanyl overdose, because it is many times more potent than other opioids and may require additional naloxone to reverse overdoses. Illicit opioids like fentanyl are sold through illicit drug markets, and buyers or users may not even know the drug they’re buying contains fentanyl. Illicitly made fentanyl and analogs have resulted in a dramatic increase in deaths across the country and locally.
Harm Reduction
Naloxone is a lifesaving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered in time. Learn more about Naloxone.
Where to get naloxone
- Pharmacists in Oregon can now prescribe Naloxone, find a pharmacy that distributes naloxone.
- Local Syringe exchange sites offer naloxone kits and overdose prevention support. Learn more about services offered in Clackamas County.
Prescription Drug Disposal and Storage
Sharing or saving medications is a bad idea. Over 80% of misused prescriptions are obtained from someone other than a doctor. People most commonly report they got drugs from a friend or family member.
Other Resources
Help is available if you know someone struggling with addiction:
