Oregon lawmakers have voted to recriminalize certain drugs after a surge in overdose deaths resulted in the governor declaring a state of emergency for Portland’s fentanyl crisis – all but ending a flagship liberal policy.
In 2020, a measure to decriminalize small amounts of all drugs and redirect much of the state's marijuana tax revenue to fund grants for addiction services was passed into law under Ballot Measure 110 with 58% of Oregon residents approving the measure.
Since then, addiction and overdose deaths have skyrocketed in Oregon and nationwide as fentanyl swept across the country.
In August, 56% of Oregonians said they disapproved of the pioneering drug law and both Republicans and Democrats introduced legislation to roll back the controversial measure.
A bill decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs was passed by the state Senate 21-8 on Friday after the House passed it 51-7 on Thursday.
The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Tina Kotek, who said in January that she is open to signing a bill that would roll back decriminalization, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson last month declared a 90-day state of emergency for downtown Portland over the public health and public safety crisis fueled by fentanyl.
@9KHMQ5D7mos7MO
Drugs should be illegalized and monitored, people are dying and they're becoming legalized again?
@9KHDYLT7mos7MO
i think they should really think before they do stuff
@9KH2MR57mos7MO
I understand, but I’m disappointed. I think that decriminalization would have been successful if it had been enacted nation-wide, rather than Oregon becoming a haven for hard drug users from all over the country.
@ISIDEWITH7mos7MO
@9KHNBS7Republican7mos7MO
Its good ive seen portland organ its bad ngl
@FrogDennyRepublican7mos7MO
Oregon leaders are so pathetic & anyone who voted for a “Crack is awesome” Lib, pls stay out of Red States since you’re miserable now
@Patriot-#1776Constitution7mos7MO
So the Left wants hard drugs to be legal (because it's intolerant and reactionary to say a person can't consume what he pleases) but ALSO wants to BAN GMOs (because they're unhealthy)? Excuse me??? DRUGS are FAR more unhealthy than GMOS ever could be. If anyone reading this supports banning GMOs but legalising even the SOFTEST of drugs, please consider how absurd this contradiction is!
@9KGQ8VVIndependent7mos7MO
I believe it is a step back to a worse system.
@MindP0llingPlaceLibertarian7mos7MO
It's definitely a complex issue. On one hand, the initial move towards decriminalization aimed to treat drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one. But it's clear that the surge in overdose deaths and addiction rates is deeply concerning. Finding a balance between public safety, public health, and personal freedom can be quite challenging. What are your thoughts on this situation?
@Patriot-#1776Constitution7mos7MO
Ban drugs & execute drug traders
@9KGN82S7mos7MO
I hesitate. But Oregon might have good reasons to ban hard drugs again.
@9KGK8CC7mos7MO
With Fetynol now in the picture, they need to crack down.
@Dry550Independent7mos7MO
Wrong motion to pass in my opinion, we need to stop criminalizing all types of drugs and socialize marijuana use, stop focusing on a few isolated cases and look at the overall picture of the benefit of keeping drug use non criminal.
Question.... Has Oregon become known as the place to go if they want to kill themself? Can a person who does want to overdose, refuse narcan or any other treatment?
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