What a sad, sad world we live in.
They make it sound like Oregon is the gutter of the US.
Oregon is nice, laid-back, beautiful (if you like forests), strange, annoying, and generally a mild head-ache. To me that is.
I bet visiting the state will rock. But living here is well... yeah, that is just how it is.
High unemployment, oh yeah baby! Drugs? Not too much, less than Vegas. The forests are amazing. Every kind of outdoor activity imaginable. The people have no common sense, but are super nice. And unless you like rain, stay away in the winter time (around the Portland area at least). Summers are sweet.
If you head down by Eugene, drop me a line. I'll show you around this tiny college town (actually it is the 2nd largest in OR). Trains and Greyhound run throughout the state for easy transportation (but they are always late!).