Kendra Sawyer : “Oregon lawmakers propose funding for jails”

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Tragic Incident in Portland, Oregon

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a young woman named Kendra Sawyer tragically took her own life while incarcerated at the Deschutes County jail in Portland, Oregon. Kendra, who was only 22 years old, was in the midst of opioid withdrawal when she made the devastating decision to end her life.

Heartbreaking Loss

Her father, Kent Sawyer, spoke to Kendra just hours before her passing, expressing his love for her. Little did he know that she was suffering in agony, crying out for help that never came. Kent is now left to wonder if his daughter would still be alive if the jail had provided her with the necessary medication to ease her withdrawal symptoms.

Legal Battle

In a bid to seek justice for his daughter, Kent has filed a lawsuit against Deschutes County, alleging wrongful death and negligence in Kendra’s passing. The lawsuit claims that the county failed to address Kendra’s physical and mental health needs, despite having access to information about her previous suicide attempts.

Legislative Response

Following Kendra’s tragic death, state lawmakers in Oregon are pushing for more funding for medication-assisted treatment programs in jails. The aim is to provide better support for inmates struggling with opioid addiction, especially in light of the fentanyl crisis that has swept across the state.

Call for Change

Kent Sawyer hopes that his daughter’s story will serve as a catalyst for change in how jails handle inmates with substance use disorders. He believes that with the right resources and support, more lives can be saved and tragedies like Kendra’s can be prevented.

As the legal battle unfolds and discussions around opioid addiction treatment in jails continue, one thing remains clear – the need for compassionate and effective support for those struggling with substance use disorders.

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Written by: Claire Rush, The Associated Press

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