Did Oregon pull the plug too soon on drug decriminalization?

By: Jeffrey Lynne April 8, 2024 2:02 am

Time to read: 5 Minutes

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) ended the state’s experiment with decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of hard drugs this week, but the debate over whether the state pulled the plug too soon is just beginning.

Addiction experts in the state say the decision to end Measure 110 about three years after voters passed the first-in-the-nation law is misguided and misinformed.

But those who pushed for the overhaul say the state’s fentanyl crisis made change urgent and describe Oregon House Bill 4002 as a necessary compromise.

The goal of Measure 110 was to keep drug users from being criminalized and instead address root causes of their addiction by diverting them to recovery programs and investing in community treatment programs.

Learn more about this article: https://thehill.com/homenews/4575434-oregon-drug-decriminalization-too-soon/