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Liberal Oregon U-turns, passes bill to recriminalize hard drugs as overdose deaths skyrocket
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.
"With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need," said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, of Portland, one of the bill’s authors, adding that its passage will "be the start of real and transformative change for our justice system."
The measure makes the possession of small amounts of drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail. It enables police to confiscate the drugs and crack down on their use on sidewalks and in parks. Drug treatment is to be offered as an alternative to criminal penalties.
Additionally, the bill aims to make it easier to prosecute people who sell drugs and increase access to addictive medication. It also makes it easier to obtain and keep housing without facing discrimination for using that medication....
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Who would have ever known that legalizing drugs was a bad idea. I'm shocked truly shocked who on JPP is shocked that legalizing drugs was a dumb Liberatard idea.
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.
"With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need," said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, of Portland, one of the bill’s authors, adding that its passage will "be the start of real and transformative change for our justice system."
The measure makes the possession of small amounts of drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail. It enables police to confiscate the drugs and crack down on their use on sidewalks and in parks. Drug treatment is to be offered as an alternative to criminal penalties.
Additionally, the bill aims to make it easier to prosecute people who sell drugs and increase access to addictive medication. It also makes it easier to obtain and keep housing without facing discrimination for using that medication....
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Who would have ever known that legalizing drugs was a bad idea. I'm shocked truly shocked who on JPP is shocked that legalizing drugs was a dumb Liberatard idea.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVE...terly_opioid_overdose_related_data_report.pdfTotals by year are as follows: o 2019 unintentional opioid overdose deaths total 280. o 2020 unintentional opioid overdose deaths total 472. o 2021 unintentional opioid overdose deaths total 738. o 2022 unintentional opioid overdose deaths total 956.