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Clatsop County reports rising methamphetamine and fentanyl fatalities; new rapid toxicology testing deployed
Summary
County public health and the medical examiner described a regional overdose surveillance plan covering Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties, increasing polysubstance fatalities (notably methamphetamine and fentanyl), and a recently acquired rapid toxicology machine that shortens result times from months to about a week.
Elizabeth DeVisser, the chief medical-legal death investigator at the Clatsop County Sheriff—s Office, and Lisa Schuyler, Clatsop County Public Health—s health-promotion supervisor and overdose-prevention coordinator, presented a regional overdose surveillance and response plan and new medical- examiner testing results at a county work session.
They said the plan, finalized June 30, covers Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties with Clatsop County serving as the regional lead. The plan sets three surveillance levels (green, yellow, red) tied to emergency-department data, county toxicology results and community reports; county tracking since July has mostly shown a sustained "yellow" level.
DeVisser said the county purchased a tabletop toxicology instrument (Randox-brand testing referenced in the presentation) and began using it in April. The machine runs a 29-drug panel and delivers preliminary, verifiable results in about one week compared with an up-to-six-month wait for state lab results; that faster turnaround has let the county detect trending substances and share data with partners sooner.
Key findings presented: local medical-examiner data show a rise in fatal overdoses from roughly 7 per year to 17 in 2023'024 for Clatsop County; 2025 preliminary data indicate continued pressure (presenters said preliminarily there were 23 suspected overdoses in 2025 to date). The county—s toxicology results show fentanyl and methamphetamine as the two most prevalent substances, with a growing number of polysubstance deaths that combine stimulants and opioids.
Why this matters: Faster toxicology results help medical examiners, law enforcement and public-health partners respond to emerging trends more quickly. DeVisser said rapid results assist detectives who may be developing criminal investigations and help public-health partners target naloxone distribution, harm-reduction outreach and treatment referrals.
Lisa Schuyler described how the rapid data enable targeted communication and coordination among harm-reduction providers, hospitals, the behavioral-health resource network and deflection programs. She said overdose deaths make up almost half of the county—s accidental deaths; 71% of the overdose decedents in the reported period were male.
Commissioners asked how the data affect on-the-ground interventions. DeVisser said medical-examiner findings are shared directly with detectives to support supply-side enforcement when appropriate; Schuyler said public-health and community partners use the trends to inform outreach, school programming, harm reduction and service capacity.
The presenters noted new trends including xylazine detections and emphasized polysubstance risks. They also described community outreach such as an upcoming candlelight vigil for Overdose Awareness Day and ongoing school and prevention programming.
Ending: Commissioners thanked presenters and offered support; staff said they will continue sharing data with partners and using the rapid testing to better target prevention, harm-reduction and enforcement efforts.
