Reversing Drug Decriminalization in Oregon: Governor to Sign Bill

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Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced her intention to sign House Bill 4002, which will recriminalize drug possession in the state. This move comes after more than three years since voters approved the most liberal drug law in the country, which had decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs.

Here are the key points about this legislation:

• House Bill 4002 aims to make possessing small amounts of hard drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl a criminal offense once again.
• It is an overhaul of Measure 110, a voter-backed policy change from 2020 that decriminalized drugs and allocated funding to expand services for people struggling with addiction.
• The bill received overwhelming support from both Democrats and Republicans in the Oregon House and Senate.
• The governor’s focus is on implementation, aiming to balance treatment for individuals with addiction and accountability.
• The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission estimates that approximately 1,333 new convictions each year could result from this bill for people whose only criminal charge is possessing a small amount of an illicit drug. Additionally, around 533 people per year might receive jail sentences after having their probation for a drug charge revoked.
• In 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 110, which decriminalized drug possession and redirected funds toward addiction services.
• However, concerns were raised about disproportionate impacts on communities of color.
• The new legislation seeks to address these concerns while maintaining a balance between treatment and accountability.
• Governor Kotek emphasized the need for persistent action and commitment from state and local government to uphold the legislature's intent.
• The goal is to provide treatment for individuals struggling with addiction while considering the impact on communities.
• The bipartisan bill reflects the will of Oregonians, as expressed through their votes.

In summary, Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment is coming to an end with the signing of this bill, which aims to strike a balance between addressing addiction and ensuring accountability for drug-related offenses.

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Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.