Oregon’s heyday is over.
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill Monday that recriminalizes possession of small amounts of certain drugs, ending a voter-backed legalization experiment four years ago as the state faces a major overdose crisis. Finished it.
The new law would make storing drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison. This will allow police to seize drugs and control their use on sidewalks and parks.
Back in 2020, voters supported Measures 110This made possession of small amounts of certain drugs for personal use a non-criminal offense, equivalent to receiving a traffic ticket.
The bill went into effect in February 2021, making Oregon the first state to officially decriminalize drug possession for minors.
Since then, the Beaver State has seen a significant increase in homelessness. murderand death from overdose.
The number of unintentional opioid overdose deaths reached 472 in 2020 and will reach at least 628 in 2023. According to state data.
In 2022, Portland set a new record for murders with 101, beating the previous year’s record of 92.
Back in January, Kotek declared a fentanyl emergency in the city, saying at the time, “Our country and our state have never seen a drug this deadly and addictive, and everyone is wondering how to respond.” “
The new law, which goes into effect on September 1, will allow local police to decide whether to give offenders a chance to receive treatment before going to jail.
Another bill Kotek signed on Monday, Senate Bill 5204, provides $211 million to mobilize resources for behavioral health and education programs, including expanding access to substance abuse treatment and prevention education. Assigned.
“The success of this policy framework depends on the ability of implementing partners to engage in close coordination at all levels,” Kotek stressed in a letter to legislative leaders.
The governor also called on the Department of Corrections to ensure “a consistent approach to supervision when individuals are released from custody” and “exhaust opportunities for non-prison misdemeanor sanctions.”
