Oregon Decriminalized Drugs. Voters Now Regret It.
Mar 12, 2024
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Oregon's attempt to combat drug use through decriminalization took a dark turn, leading to challenges like increased drug use, lawlessness, and the need to revisit the law. The flawed implementation of Measure 110 in Oregon sparked debates about treatment efficacy and the balance between decriminalization and providing adequate resources.
Oregon shifted focus from incarceration to treating addiction as a health issue post-decriminalizing drug possession.
Oregon lawmakers partially rolled back decriminalization due to challenges in effective treatment implementation and rising drug-related problems.
Deep dives
Decriminalization of Drugs in Oregon
Oregon's Measure 110 decriminalizes drug possession, shifting focus from incarceration to treating addiction as a health issue. Under the measure, carrying small amounts of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin results in a citation rather than arrest, with an emphasis on entering treatment programs instead of jail time. While funded by cannabis tax revenue, the implementation faced challenges in getting individuals into treatment, leading to increased drug-related issues on the streets.
Rollback of Measure 110
After facing rising drug-related problems post-Measure 110, Oregon lawmakers passed legislation to partially roll back decriminalization by allowing penalties for drug possession and offering treatment alternatives. This response came amidst public frustration over drug use in public spaces and the failure to effectively implement treatment services promised in Measure 110. The move to re-criminalize part of drug possession marked a significant shift away from the previous decriminalization approach.
Impact on Decriminalization Movement
Oregon's experience with Measure 110 setbacks the broader decriminalization movement, leading to a shift towards imposing stricter penalties for drug possession. The flawed implementation of Measure 110 in addressing drug addiction lacked successful treatment programs, fueling legislative actions to reintroduce criminal penalties. The setback in Oregon serves as a cautionary tale for other states considering similar decriminalization initiatives, indicating the complexities and challenges in transitioning drug policies.
In 2020, motivated to try a different way to combat drug use, Oregon voted to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs including fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.
Things didn’t turn out as planned.
Mike Baker, a national reporter for The Times, explains what went wrong.
Guest: Mike Baker, a national reporter for The New York Times.
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