Oregon is ready to end its “experiment” with drug decriminalization, according to a state senator. This comes after a spike in overdose deaths and public drug use in the Beaver State forced the state Legislature to reintroduce criminal penalties for possession.
“About four Oregonians a day die from an overdose,” state Sen. Tim Knopp, the Senate minority leader, said Sunday on “Fox & Friends Weekend.” Told.
“Oregon voters were sold gift certificates through an initiative on the ballot that decriminalized all hard drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines,” he said.
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“Instead of the treatment that voters thought would be available to their drug-addicted family members and friends, they ended up receiving unrestricted drug use, drug sales throughout Oregon’s major cities, and exponential growth. deaths from overdose. ”
The three-year decriminalization “experiment” ended with 60 voters passing Measure 110, which decriminalizes possession of small amounts of hard drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, with fines of up to $100 for possession. It started in 2020 when nearly % supported it.
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Oregon HB 4002 now heads to Democratic Governor Tina Kotek’s desk. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchell Dyer, File)
The measure subsequently fell out of favor as widespread concerns about the fentanyl crisis, homelessness, and declining public safety came into the spotlight.
“What we’ve experienced is more crime, more open drug use, more open drug sales, drug addicts almost everywhere, on the streets of Portland, Eugene, Salem and major cities across Oregon. Now, they were literally dying right in front of our eyes. It was horrifying,” Knopp said.
The Oregon Senate voted 21-8 on Friday to recriminalize hard drugs with HB 4002, following the state House’s lead, giving the bill largely bipartisan support.
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The bill would also expand access to opioid withdrawal drugs, create addiction services facilities and allow prosecutors to “pursue harsher penalties for drug dealers,” according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk.
Kotek has reportedly declined to clarify his position on the bill, but he has previously indicated support for reinstating criminal penalties for drug possession.
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Fox News’ Kassy Dillon contributed to this report.
