4 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

In an effort to address the rampant drug use and crime in downtown Portland, authorities have taken action to clear out an abandoned structure that has become known as an "open air-drug market". The structure has long been a hotbed for illegal activity, with drug users and dealers frequently congregating there. However, many residents are skeptical that this move will have any significant impact on the city's larger drug crisis.

Portland police officers, firefighters, and construction inspectors were all involved in the inspection, which took place early on Wednesday afternoon. The PPB Bike Squad even shared images of the operation on social media, highlighting the severity of the situation. Once the structure was cleared out, crews immediately got to work putting up plywood to prevent people from re-entering.

Despite these efforts, many people are still concerned that this is just a temporary solution to a much larger problem. One homeless man who spoke to reporters expressed his skepticism, stating that "this is just a bandaid on the addiction and drug crisis in the city". He went on to say that until more comprehensive solutions are implemented, such as increased access to addiction treatment and affordable housing, the drug problem in Portland will continue to persist.

Overall, while the clearing out of the abandoned building is a step in the right direction, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the root causes of drug addiction and crime in the city. Until these issues are addressed head-on, it is likely that we will continue to see similar problems arise in the future.

We took this video from KPTV FOX 12 Oregon YouTube Channel.