News

After Oregon Recriminalizes Drug Possession, What’s Next For The State’s Drug Policy

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed a bill restoring criminal charges in cases of hard drug possession.

The bill states that possession of small amounts of hard drugs will now result in a misdemeanor charge and a punishment of up to six months in prison and offers rehabilitation to those charged as a possible alternative.

“Courts, Oregon State Police, local law enforcement, defense attorneys, district attorneys, and local behavioral health providers are all critical to these conversations and necessary partners to achieve the vision for this legislation,” Kotek wrote in a letter to state lawmakers, urging them to cooperate in finding a solution.

Oregon voters passed Measure 110, the Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative, in the 2020 election with the intent to provide more accessible drug treatment for those who have an addiction rather than punishing them with prison time.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The measure was seen as a potential solution to the state’s climbing numbers of drug overdoses and deaths. However, since the law’s enactment, the state has seen increasing homelessness and fentanyl usage and has reported the second-highest rates of substance abuse in the United States.

Oregon state legislators passed the proposed bill reversing the measure last month.

Many legislators have argued that decriminalizing drug possession was not the solution, and some have said they would “never again” make the same mistake.

Sen. Kate Lieber (D-Portland) said that with this bill, legislators are “doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need.”

Simone Bieglmeier

Share
Published by
Simone Bieglmeier

Recent Posts

After Supreme Court Allows Maryland’s Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban To Stand, Gun Control Advocates Wonder For How Long

The Supreme Court announced that it would not grant a hearing to a Second Amendment…

3 hours ago

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Admits She Didn’t Read Trump’s ‘Big, Beautfil Bill’ Before Voting For It, Wants A.I. Provisions Stripped

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) regrets her decision to vote for President Donald Trump's "Big,…

3 hours ago

Hispanic Voters Flee Trump After Increasing Support In ’24 Election, New Poll Finds

During the 2024 election, Latino and Hispanic voters shifted dramatically toward President Donald Trump in…

4 hours ago

Billionaire George Soros To Millions Into Effort To Turn Texas Blue

Billionaire George Soros, an investor and philanthropist, is backing the Texas Majority PAC and Texas…

4 hours ago

Texas Republican Legislators Advance Bill To Ban LGBTQ Clubs In Schools

Senate Bill 12, a Texas bill that will ban the existence of LGBTQ clubs in…

8 hours ago

Kamala Harris Panned For No-Show At California Democratic Convention Amid Rumored Run For Governor

Following her failed presidential campaign, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ political future is uncertain. Many…

1 day ago