Polk County commissioners approve two‑year commitment to Fentanyl Free Oregon
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Summary
The Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a two‑year funding commitment totaling $50,000 to support Fentanyl Free Oregon’s youth awareness and prevention work, directing staff to finalize details and collaborate with local partners.
Polk County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 28 to provide Fentanyl Free Oregon with $25,000 a year for two years to support youth‑focused fentanyl awareness and prevention programming.
The decision came after a presentation from Ryan Gale, an administrator with Fentanyl Free Oregon, who described the nonprofit’s mission to educate residents about the risks of street‑sold fentanyl and asked the county to consider opioid settlement funds as a source to expand local prevention efforts. “We respectfully request consideration for funding of support for Polk County's opioid settlement funds to help expand fentanyl awareness prevention efforts for youth in our communities,” Gale said during the presentation.
Commissioners and staff voiced strong support for funding targeted outreach. One commissioner, citing long‑standing efforts to direct opioid settlement money toward prevention, proposed a two‑year commitment of $25,000 per year and moved the motion to fund the group. In the board discussion members emphasized partnering with local nonprofits and youth organizations — including scouting groups, the Dream Center and school‑based social‑norms campaigns — to reach students in ways that resonate locally.
Gale and the presenters told the board most funds would go into program delivery rather than overhead. When asked about administrative costs, presenters said the organization has minimal overhead, no executive director and relies on partnering organizations to deliver programs and materials.
Professor Mark Stewart of Willamette University, who advised the presenters, highlighted research showing a recent decline in some fentanyl indicators that he described as a temporary "supply shock," urging the county to use the lull as an opportunity for prevention and treatment planning. Gale and Stewart both stressed the risk that illicit supply and polysubstance trends could rebound.
The chair called the question after discussion; commissioners voiced aye and the motion passed unanimously. Presenters thanked the board and said they would work with county staff and community partners to refine a program proposal tied to the committed budget.
Recorded action: the board moved to fund Fentanyl Free Oregon at $25,000 per year for this year and the following year; the motion passed unanimously.
