At the end of August, a new era began in Oregon, as possession of certain drugs became a crime again.
The state Legislature passed two bills in March that re-criminalized possession, making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail for probation violations and 180 days in jail if a judge revokes probation. Axios Governor Tina Kotek (Democrat) signed the bill into law in April.
A new law re-criminalizing drug possession came into effect on September 1st.
But most counties in the state have also decided to offer a “diversion” route for people arrested for drug possession: They can choose to go to jail or connect with resources to get treatment.
There were also problems with the way state health departments administer grants for substance abuse programs.
The state's response to the worsening drug epidemic comes as voters in 2020 passed Proposition 110 by 60% to decriminalize possession of drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl. As a result, parts of the state, like downtown Portland, have become openly drug dens and pose a public safety threat.
In Portland, businesses have been closed due to conditions created by Measure 110. For example, Buffalo Wild Wings was closed down due to concerns that the area around the restaurant was becoming a “hotbed of crime and drug use.” According to The Oregonian, the city said the franchisee had not paid rent despite attempts to mitigate safety concerns. Reported.
The Washington Post Reported One of the reasons Measure 110 failed was a lack of state resources to provide treatment for drug users who chose to seek help, as well as problems with the way the state health department administers grants for substance abuse programs.
The Drug Policy Alliance, a strong advocate of Measure 110, criticized the state's response to the opioid epidemic.
“Bill 110 was a huge success, but has been scapegoated by corporate interests and drug war advocates. Bill 110 provided more than $300 million for health services and increased the number of people receiving voluntary treatment by 205 percent. These successes must not be discounted or blamed on Bill 4002,” the DPA said.
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