Oregon's first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law faces growing pushback amid fentanyl crisis
Oregon’s first-in-the-nation law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs in favor of an emphasis on addiction treatment is facing strong headwinds in the progressive state after an explosion of public drug use fueled by the proliferation of fentanyl and a surge in deaths from opioids, including those of children.
“The inability for people to live their day-to-day life without encountering open-air drug use is so pressing on urban folks’ minds,” said John Horvick, vice president of polling firm DHM Research. “That has very much changed people’s perspective about what they think Measure 110 is.”
When the law was approved by 58% of Oregon voters three years ago, supporters championed Measure 110 as a revolutionary approach that would transform addiction by minimizing penalties for drug use and investing instead in recovery.
But even top Democratic lawmakers who backed the law, which will likely dominate the upcoming legislative session, say they’re now open to revisiting it after the biggest increase in synthetic opioid deaths among states that have reported their numbers.
And of course nobody even contemplating the idea that they underfunded the resources invested in recovery and that's the change they need to make.
Oregonian here. And... Yep. That's it exactly.
Second Oregonian here, and also yup. We decriminalized but then decided not to require treatment (Portugal method), and then didn't fund treatment anyway.
Portugal doesn't require treatment. I don't know where this idea came from, but this isn't the first time I've seen this misinformation.
Also severe police shortage amidst nationwide increase in crimes. I don't think any of the drug users are getting cited for public drug use at all unless they have to be taken to the hospital.
Edit: I DIDN'T SAY DEFUND. Portland has a massive police shortage. They also STATE that they don't prioritize nonviolent drug use because they don't have manpower.
There isn't a nationwide increase in crime, and there haven't been defundings of the police.
What reality do you live in?
What the fuck happened here?
Portland has had a police shortage since 2020. I never said anything about defunding. Portland Police also have wait times and aren't responding to non violent drug use calls unless life is in danger.
Crimes are also up Only murder went "down" because it was extremely high post pandemic and hasn't gotten down to prepandemic.
No need to be an asshole about it
Have the police tried just working harder, or perhaps pulling themselves up by their bootstraps
What a constructive comment. Thank god we have leftists like you adding so much to our government and our community ethos.
“Nobody wants to police anymore” it’s almost like all the things that make the job what it is make it only a job for shitty people
Why is it that “nobody wants to work” is somehow the workers problem for not accepting poor working conditions but “we have a police shortage” falls on society to make things “easier” for them
Yeah fucking right. I work in downtown Salem. It doesn’t matter if half these people have “resources.” They’re here because they can get their fix without being harassed.
You need repercussions in order for addicts to want to get clean. We don’t have any.
Sick, love to see a fascist thinking about criminalizing those who need help, not punishment, the most.
Massive leap, but typical for a shit for brains. I just work and pay taxes here, but yeah no I’m a fascist because I think people shouldn’t be tweaking on P2P meth in broad daylight in front of our businesses and fucking children.
Are you from Oregon? Do you live here? Do you see it? If not, shut your ignorant fucking mouth. Repercussions include mandatory treatment. I’m not saying we should lock people away in solitary, but the current system of ZERO repercussions whatsoever is not working. Doesn’t make me a fascist to point it out. Go fuck yourself.
You're going to need to cite your sources that repercussions do anything meaningful for addicts to get clean, as opposed to decriminalized but mandatory treatment (a la Portugal).
Source: I live and work here, I voted for the law initially and I have seen it fail. IMO this trumps your “a l portugal” source, you ignorant fucking dunce.
Come live and work in our communities and you will see as virtually everyone here does that the measure has failed because there is ZERO INCENTIVE for anyone selling or using these drugs to do anything but continue to sell and use. As I said in a previous comment, repercussions include mandatory treatment. You people are detached and moronic.
Now this is how you convey your point and have people listen. Take notes boys.