Oregon and Washington state health officials have launched Friends for Life, a new overdose prevention effort aimed at youth ages 13 to 25, as students return to school.
The campaign provides resources in English and Spanish to help young people and families discuss fentanyl and other drugs, prevent overdoses, recognize overdose signs and use naloxone. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education partnered with the Washington State Health Care Authority to create the initiative.
Oregon's overdose deaths declined over the past two years to a four-year low in 2025, the state reported, but fentanyl and methamphetamine remain major drivers of overdose deaths. More than 90 percent of reported overdose deaths in the state involve fentanyl, methamphetamine or both.
Young adults ages 24 and younger accounted for 4 percent of Oregon's overdose deaths in 2024, though 59 youth and young adults died that year—down from 106 in 2023. Notably, more than half of youth overdose events involved another person present, meaning a bystander could have called 911 or administered naloxone.
Friends for Life includes free toolkits for schools and community organizations with materials in seven languages, including posters, wallet cards and social media content. Resources are available at www.orfriendsforlife.com.