Three years after Oregon voters approved a landmark measure to decriminalize small quantities of illicit drugs, the state finds itself at a crossroads. Measure 110, passed by nearly 59% of the electorate, represented a paradigm shift, favoring addiction treatment over incarceration. Yet, as the state grapples with a fentanyl crisis and an uptick in opioid-related deaths, including among children, the once-celebrated policy is under scrutiny.
The decriminalization effort, which includes drugs like heroin and cocaine, is being questioned as Oregonians confront the realities of public drug consumption and a spike in synthetic opioid overdose deaths. Despite the initial enthusiasm, a visible cycle of addiction and homelessness exacerbated by potent substances like fentanyl has sparked a discussion on the law’s efficacy.
Oregon's pioneering drug decriminalization law is facing a backlash amid a surge in public drug use fueled by fentanyl and an increase in synthetic opioid overdose deaths. https://t.co/jklLMKSJuG
— KEZI 9 NEWS (@KEZI9) November 19, 2023
Critically, the fentanyl crisis has cast a shadow over the state’s approach. Portland, Oregon’s largest city, has become an emblem of the challenges faced, with open drug use becoming a common sight. The issue is not just local but mirrors national concerns, as fentanyl-related overdoses have surged across the United States.
In response, Oregon’s lawmakers are not shying away from reconsidering the measure. Democratic state Sen. Kate Lieber has signaled that everything is on the table, aiming to reconcile the need for safer streets with life-saving interventions. The current law directs cannabis tax revenue to addiction treatment services, positioning itself as a compassionate alternative to punitive measures. However, the law’s critics argue that it needs more incentives for individuals to seek treatment, with only a fraction utilizing the available hotline for addiction screening services.
Republicans in the state have called for a special session to address the issue before the next legislative session, proposing more stringent sanctions and exploring mandatory treatment options. The balance between compassion and accountability is a delicate one, with some law enforcement officials suggesting a return to classifying drug possession as a misdemeanor, albeit with diversion opportunities.
Yet, there’s recognition that the decades-long war on drugs, marked by criminalization, has not deterred drug use, signaling that a return to past policies may not be the panacea some hope for. Advocates for Measure 110 point out that despite the challenges, the law has made strides by allocating significant funds to build a new addiction treatment infrastructure and Behavioral Health Resource Networks, which have seen an increase in people entering treatment.
As Oregon navigates these turbulent waters, the question remains whether the state will pivot from its groundbreaking stance or whether it will adapt its policies to better address the complexities of addiction in the shadow of the fentanyl crisis. What is clear is that the debate in Oregon is reflective of a broader national reckoning on drug policy as communities across the country search for effective responses to a crisis that is as much about public health as it is about public safety.
