Why it matters: Oregon is attempting to backtrack on a landmark piece of legislation that decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs just over three years ago.
What they are saying: Supporters of the bill believe it will provide more access to treatment and care for Oregonians with addiction disorders, while critics argue that the reversal may make it harder for people to quit and disproportionately impact Black and Latino individuals. The bill leaves it up to individual counties to decide the details of deflection programs.
The big picture: Oregon passed Measure 110 in 2020 to treat drug use as a health issue, but slow funding and a rise in overdose deaths have led to the passage of HB 4002, which would recriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs.
What to watch: The final fate of Measure 110 is uncertain as Gov. Tina Kotek will have to sign off on the bill. Additionally, it will be important to monitor the impact of the reversal on drug use and addiction treatment in Oregon.
My take: It is important to strike a balance between addressing substance abuse as a health issue and enforcing laws to prevent the negative consequences of drug use. Oregon’s decision to backtrack on decriminalization will likely have significant implications and should be closely monitored for its effectiveness in addressing addiction issues and promoting public safety.
