This story was originally published by Oregon Humanities. The first thirty-nine years of my life were spent in a small rural town, home to barely 2,000
Three years after Oregon voted to de-criminalize drug offences - residents are now begging to reverse their decision after seeing an astonishing number of deaths from opioid overdoses.
It was a great first date, two-plus hours of conversation and martinis at Portland's Driftwood Room, with its Rat Pack vibe and lighting that makes everyone look 25. Mary Costantino was twice that, as was her date, a fellow physician from out of town. By 10:40 he was walking Costantino to her car, on a block she'd been on thousands of times. She'd lived in the neighborhood 20 years; the city's best public high school, which her sons attended, was in eyesight. The couple held hands and chatted as they moved down the street.