Zach Lazar, a science teacher at South Eugene High School, has observed a significant increase in student struggles since the pandemic, particularly around substance abuse. He notes the tragic deaths of three students from drug use in the past two years. Lazar believes the situation has worsened since schools returned to in-person learning, with more students falling into destructive behaviors.

This article is part of an investigative series focusing on Oregon’s escalating substance use crisis among youth and the state’s failure to address it. Oregon’s youth face a rapidly changing world where drugs are more accessible and dangerous than ever. The state’s public school system, however, has been slow to adapt. Lazar’s experience reflects alarming statistics: Oregon ranks third in the nation for youth substance use disorder, and in the past six years, 348 Oregonians aged 15 to 24 have died from accidental overdoses—enough to fill more than 15 high school classrooms. The overdose rates among teens have grown faster in Oregon than in any other state.

The increase in drug use is compounded by easy access to substances through social media, with some drugs costing less than a dollar per dose. In response, lawmakers have enacted laws requiring schools to implement substance use prevention programs. Yet a recent investigation reveals that many of Oregon’s schools are failing to deliver effective prevention education. According to a statewide survey of 197 public school districts, most students are not receiving the evidence-based substance use prevention programs they need.

The survey results are troubling. Sixty percent of Oregon’s school districts do not use any prevention programs that meet even the lowest evidence standards. This includes Portland Public Schools, one of the state’s largest districts. For many schools, prevention efforts consist of little more than a chapter in a health textbook, which experts argue is insufficient for addressing the complex issue of substance use. With such programs, students are not receiving the necessary education to protect them from addiction.

Despite the law requiring evidence-based programs, only 44 out of 119 surveyed districts offer prevention programming endorsed by expert clearinghouses at the elementary school level. Moreover, only one district provides a program that actively involves parents, a crucial component of effective prevention. The lack of parental engagement further weakens Oregon’s efforts to combat youth substance use.

One of the key issues contributing to the problem is that Oregon schools receive minimal guidance and support from the state when selecting prevention programs. In contrast, other states provide more robust support to help schools implement scientifically-backed programs. Oregon’s lack of resources, guidance, and state support means that many schools are left to develop their own strategies, with few ensuring that the programs are proven to work.

Despite these challenges, there is hope. A small number of Oregon school districts have managed to implement evidence-based prevention programs. Around 8% of districts have adopted curricula that have shown potential to reduce risk factors for addiction. Linn County, for instance, has successfully used the LifeSkills Training program for over 25 years. LifeSkills, a research-supported program, has been shown to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among students. This success demonstrates that with the right resources, evidence-backed programs can make a significant impact.

However, the success stories are few and far between. Most districts still lack the necessary resources and funding to implement comprehensive prevention programs. Without greater support from the state, the overall picture remains bleak. Oregon’s youth continue to be exposed to dangerous substances with little guidance on how to avoid them.

Gov. Tina Kotek has promised to take action in response to the findings of this investigation. She acknowledged the alarming nature of the report and committed to bringing key agency leaders together to create a specific action plan to address the gaps in substance use prevention education. She emphasized that prevention must be a priority in Oregon’s efforts to tackle the growing addiction crisis.

While there are promising efforts happening in some districts, the state’s overall response remains inadequate. Experts argue that Oregon must adopt evidence-based prevention programs at a larger scale. With substance use disorder rates continuing to rise and more young people dying from overdoses, the need for effective prevention is more urgent than ever.

In conclusion, the investigation highlights a critical gap in Oregon’s education system. The state’s schools are not adequately addressing the substance use crisis, and many students are left without the education and resources they need to protect themselves from addiction. Oregon must act quickly to ensure that every student has access to evidence-based prevention programs. Without such programs, Oregon’s youth will continue to face increased risks, and the state’s substance abuse crisis will worsen.