Clark County Public Health is warning the community about a recent increase in emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses. Preliminary evidence suggests most of the recent overdoses may be due to fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl may be added to illicit drugs during their production without the drug user’s knowledge.

“Anyone who uses powdered drugs or takes pills that were not given to them by a pharmacy should assume they contain fentanyl,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark… Read More

Clark County Public Health’s offices will be closed on Wednesday, April 12 for an all-day staff training event. Online services will continue to be available.

Public Health’s online permitting portal enables people to submit new permit applications and renewals, upload required documents, review account activity, and make payments. Food worker testing continues to be available online. And people can place orders for birth and death certificates through the… Read More

Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is offering a series of free online workshops about composting and sustainable living strategies. The eight-part series will teach participants how to reduce their impact on the planet through composting, green cleaning, recycling, food waste prevention, and low waste living.

Here are the virtual workshops offered via Zoom this spring:

• Backyard Composting: 7-8 pm Wednesday, April 12. Learn how to construct a compost pile and heat it up.
• Red Worm Composting: 7-8 pm Wednesday, April… Read More

Clark County Green Neighbors is accepting applications for host gardens in the 2023 Natural Garden Tour. The annual tour features gardens across the county that are maintained using earth-friendly techniques.

Clark County residents with urban and rural gardens of all sizes can apply to have their property included in the tour, which offers self-guided tours to the community. Properties considered for the tour must be maintained without the use of synthetic chemicals.

Applications to be a host garden will be… Read More

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for a youth volunteer to serve on the Public Health Advisory Council.

The open position is for a representative from the Clark County Youth Commission or Clark County Youth House, or a representative of local area high schools or colleges. The three-year term begins as soon as the position is filled.

The advisory council meets 5:30-7:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every even month via Zoom. When in-person meetings resume, they will be 6-8 pm in the main conference room on the second floor of the Center for Community… Read More

Clark County Public Health’s Vital Records and Environmental Public Health offices will be closed to in-person services on Friday, Feb. 24 due to inclement weather. Online services will continue to be available.

Public Health’s online permitting portal enables people to submit new permit applications and renewals, upload required documents, review account activity, and make payments. Food worker testing continues to be available online. And people can place orders for birth and… Read More

NOTE: This news release was updated to reflect changes to the WasteBusters Challenge kickoff event. The event will now be held virtually.

Join Clark County Green Neighbors in pledging to reduce waste in the annual WasteBusters Challenge. The free 21-day challenge begins Wednesday, March 1.  

Challenge participants commit to a pledge, complete waste reduction tasks to earn points and qualify for prizes, and improve the culture around conscious consumption. Participants will choose from one of three pledges focusing on food waste, household hazardous… Read More

Clark County Public Health is teaming up with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries for a free educational series highlighting environmentally friendly lifestyles.

Public Health’s Green Neighbors, Green Schools and Composter Recycler programs, along with several other community organizations, are partnering with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Cascade Park Community Library to offer the Conscious Consumption series. The series features workshops and events for residents of all ages to learn about sustainability topics, including food waste reduction, worm bin composting,… Read More

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on the Public Health Advisory Council.

The open position is for a representative from the Clark County Youth Commission or Clark County Youth House, or a representative of local area high schools or colleges. The three-year term begins as soon as the position is filled.

The advisory council meets 5:30-7:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every even month via Zoom. When in-person meetings resume, they will be 6-8 pm in the main conference room on the second floor of the Center for Community Health,… Read More

Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is offering a free, seven-week series to train a new cohort of volunteers. The training will prepare volunteers to be sustainability ambassadors in the community and experts in composting techniques, recycling, food-waste reduction, green cleaning and other sustainable living habits.

Composter Recycler volunteers share information with the community about composting, diverting food waste from the landfill, recycling materials correctly, and creating healthier homes by reducing household hazardous waste at outreach events throughout the year… Read More