No wonder it looks like a 3rd world country when I cross the bridge to come to work every morning. Yikes. This is concerning. But who pumps your gas is a hot button issue at the moment.
Come on man ... house prices are going up ... people are moving there ... there is some art around downtown ... reminds me of Kevin Bacon at the end of Animal House (still the only good thing to ever come from Eugene) ... "ALL IS WELL"
Love it. but lets legalize drugs and then make the public pay for the mess and hand hold the poor decision makers and enable them by supplying shelter and money. Lets force the people who make the right choices pay for those who don't, by supporting their habits and having to look at the mess. People like to ignore whats hard to deal with. Gas pumping is an easy argument to be had. Drug addiction and the fallout, is much more complex and thus, requires a heightened level of attention and information to have an intelligent discussion.
As with the other thread, there is a lot to love/like about Portland, but you can also see the flaws of something you love because you want to fix it and make it better.
Oregon second-worst state in U.S. for addiction, survey says PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon ranks second in the country for substance use disorder, according to new numbers from a survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These numbers were given to KOIN 6 News by Oregon Recovers, and they compare 2020 to 2019. According to the survey, nearly one in five Oregonians struggle with addiction. The state also fell to 50th in access to treatment with 18% of Oregonians needing but not receiving treatment. Oregon ranks first in the country for both opioid misuse and methamphetamine misuse rate, the survey stated. Meth usage skyrocketed during the same time period examined, seeing a 53% increase from 2019, according to the survey. State officials said between 2019 and 2020, alcohol-related deaths had increased 73% and drug overdoses had increased 39%. Data from the Oregon Health Authority also found Black people to have died of overdoses at twice the rate of white people, and Native people to have died of overdoses at three times the rate of white people, Oregon Recovery said. People who are struggling with addiction can call a national hotline at 800-662-HELP(4357). https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/oregon-second-worst-state-in-u-s-for-addiction-survey-says/
It's interesting that the least harmful recreational substance, marijuana, has the highest state tax. Time to substantially raise the taxes on beer and wine and use that revenue for treatment.
Beer $18.00 per 31-gallon barrel, or $0.05 per 12-oz can Wine $1.07 - $3.40 per gallon, or $0.21 - $0.67 per 750ml bottle, depending on alcohol content Distilled Spirits $13.50 per proof-gallon†, or $2.14 per 750ml 80-proof bottle So the tax on a can of beer is less than the deposit for recycling.
Buy a bottle of liquor in Washington and you’re taxed big time. If I make a big purchase such as furniture, car etc. I drive over the bridge. The system in Oregon is flawed. I identify more as an Oregonian. It’s where I was raised, it’s where I vacation, it’s where I work. But I sure as hell would never move back. Such a mismanaged state. Particularly, Portland.
I was just in Vancouver yesterday, around the fort, and there are homeless camps all around there. I don't see Vancouver and Washington dealing with the homeless any better than Portland.
The new waterfront area has been spared for some reason. They at least are keeping the problem out of desirable areas for now. Not sure how long they can sustain that though.
couldnt agree more. Keep increasing cigarette taxes too. Make those who make those choices pay for them. Key is making sure the money is allocated and spent correctly. Little trust in government on that. Lol.
Not nearly as many as Portland. But yes, there is some. The i5 corridor from the bridge down to Tigard is a campground. Most likely twacked out people by my guesstimation.
There’s been hardly enough money to keep PIL sports programs alive. That’s been going on for several years.
Okay, raise the tax on beer to $.23 per can, use $.20 for drug and alcohol treatment and $.03 for high school sports and music programs.
