Oregon lawmakers pass bill undoing part of state drug decriminalization law  

The Oregon Legislature has passed a bipartisan bill that would rescind key parts of the state’s decriminalization law that punish people for possessing and selling small amounts of drugs.

The bipartisan bill passed both state legislatures on Friday and will be sent to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, who last month signaled a desire to rein in Oregon’s decriminalization efforts.

The state Senate passed the bill by a 21-8 vote on Friday, following a 51-7 vote in the House on Thursday, the newspaper reported. Associated Press (AP).

“This historic vote to reimpose criminal penalties for drug possession makes it clear that Oregon is no longer a drug tourism state,” Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) said in a news release Friday. I will do it,” he said. statement Following the passage of the bill. “While there will be much work for legislators to do in the upcoming legislative session to continue to advance the fentanyl overdose and addiction crisis facing our state, I will vote yes on HB 4002. I was proud to be able to stand on the right side of history.”

The bill would allow law enforcement to seize drugs if they are being used in parks or on sidewalks. Possession of small amounts of drugs such as methamphetamine or heroin is a misdemeanor and can result in up to six months in prison. Legalization will make it easier to crack down on drug dealers.

An alternative to punishment is in the form of drug treatment. The law also provides for increased availability of addiction treatment drugs.

The bill’s passage comes as the state faces one of the nation’s largest increases in overdose deaths. Oregon was the first state to sign drug decriminalization legislation in early 2021. The state had the second-highest rate of substance use disorders in the country and ranked last in terms of access to treatment. according to Towards the 2023 Audit Report.

Some lawmakers criticized the bill as going too far without creating enough opportunities for people to recover. Sen. Lou Frederick (D-Portland) said the bill uses the same techniques that have failed in the past.

“I’m concerned that this (bill) will try and fail to use the same tactics as in the past and only reinforce a narrative of punishment that has failed for 50 years,” Frederick said, according to the Associated Press. Told.