Last month, Oregon legislators passed House Bill 4002, which repealed a key component of Measure 110, a voter-approved initiative from 2020 that decriminalized small amounts of drugs. Critics of the new law, including treatment providers and public defenders, argue that it represents a step back towards the failed war on drugs, which led to mass incarceration without effectively addressing drug addiction. Despite overwhelming support for Measure 110, advocates of the bill now believe that society was not ready for such progressive measures at the time.
The original Measure 110 aimed to reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of hard drugs and provide access to treatment services for those struggling with addiction. Advocates saw it as an opportunity to help individuals in need rather than punishing them with jail time. However, the promised funding from marijuana tax revenues for drug treatment and harm reduction programs did not materialize, leaving the state with the second-highest rate of substance use disorder and the worst access to treatment. An audit report released last year highlighted the challenges faced by those trying to access services.
Sarah Pulver, an outreach peer specialist with BHRC, providing Narcan during outreach rounds in downtown Portland, highlights the struggles experienced by service providers. Services were difficult to access and were never fully implemented, leading to frustration among lawmakers who had opposed decriminalization from the beginning. A rise in overdose deaths, particularly due to fentanyl use, and an increase in homelessness led to a political backlash against the decriminalization efforts. Critics argued that the pilot program did not achieve its intended results and only aggravated open-air drug abuse.
Opponents of the new decriminalization bill believe that it is not the right approach to combatting drug addiction. They argue that decriminalizing drug possession does not solve the underlying issues and can even worsen the problem. Oregon Senate Republicans released a statement last month opposing the new law, stating that it would not result in positive outcomes. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, one of the bill’s authors, believes that the passage of House Bill 4002 is a step towards real and transformative change for the justice system.
Despite the challenges faced by advocates and lawmakers in implementing decriminalization measures, there is a commitment to finding effective solutions to drug addiction in Oregon. The debate surrounding drug policy in the state reflects ongoing tensions between punishment-based approaches and harm reduction strategies. As the state grapples with high rates of substance use disorder and limited access to treatment, there is a recognition of the need for comprehensive and equitable solutions to address the complex issues surrounding drug addiction. The passage of the new decriminalization bill represents a turning point in the ongoing dialogue about drug policy in Oregon.
