Oregon governor to sign bill to recriminalize illicit drugs, ending state’s experiment

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR) is set to sign a bill recriminalizing drugs in the state after a short-lived attempt to decriminalize illicit drugs.

In 2020, 58% of Oregon voters approved Measure 110, which decriminalized possession of most illegal drugs in the state and redirected tax revenue from marijuana sales to fund grants for addiction services. Oregon lawmakers revisited the law after addiction and overdose rates increased in the state since the measure passed.

“Reforms to Measure 110 will start to take shape, as I intend to sign House Bill 4002 and the related prevention and treatment investments within the next 30 days,” Kotek said in a statement Thursday. “As Governor, my focus is on implementation.”

The new bill will give those caught with illegal substances a choice between being criminally charged or undergoing addiction treatment. The bill also allows police officers the authority to confiscate drugs and stop people using them in parks or on sidewalks.

“With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need,” Senate Democratic Leader Kate Lieber said.

Earlier this year, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and Kotek declared a state of emergency in downtown Portland over the drug crisis fueled by fentanyl.

Supporters of Measure 110 said it needed more time to see a ‘return on investment’ and blamed other factors, such as a housing shortage and COVID-19, for the bill’s low success.

“What we’ve seen is COVID has pulled the rug out of 50 years of disinvestment,” said Monta Knudson, the CEO of Bridges to Change, a drug recovery organization. “What we see today around the streets is the impact from that. Unfortunately, M110 was passed at the same time all this has happened, and so folks are pointing the finger on M110.”

Opponents said it fueled a drug crisis that was already prevalent in the state.

“Measure 110 is the gasoline that was thrown on a fire that was already burning out of control,” Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton said.

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Still, House Bill 4002 received bipartisan support as it heads to the governor’s desk.

“The drug crisis is killing Oregonians and threatening the health and safety of our communities,” Kotek said. “The Oregon Drug Intervention Plan is a treatment-focused approach that gives providers and law enforcement the tools they need to keep people safe and save lives.”

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