At least 88 homeless people died last year in Multnomah County, according to a report issued Friday.
That number, up from 56 in 2014, marks a five-year high.
Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Paul Lewis said that nearly all the deaths appeared avoidable or premature.
“Everyone needs basic shelter and security,” Lewis said. “These lives ended decades too soon, and for all the wrong reasons.”
The new report says 71 who died in 2015 were men, and 17 were women. Their ages ranged from 17 to 78.
More than half of the deaths were accidental, the report says, and a quarter were from natural causes. Homicide accounted for five deaths, up from one homicide in 2014.
Alcohol or drugs contributed to 44 of the deaths, with heroin or prescription opiates contributing to 22.
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury said the report demonstrates the need for more affordable housing and greater access to mental health and substance abuse treatment
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/09/at_least_88_died_on_streets_in.html
Hey FuckinBacon, how about you go hang out on the Srpingwater Corridor and try to save some lives? You lost the abortion battle, so it’s time to move on to real humans suffering right here in front of your own nose.