Portland sees 50% increase in overdose deaths this year.

Fatal overdoses in Portland have increased by 46% this year, with 85 deaths already recorded, and the number is expected to rise as toxicology reports are processed. Six of the eight suspected overdoses investigated by police over the weekend were due to fentanyl, a potent and cheap opioid that is easily mistaken for other powdered drugs. The rise in overdoses is part of a wider opioid crisis in Oregon.