Oregon Governor signs bill to decriminalize drug possession

Salem, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill Monday that recriminalizes the possession of small amounts of drugs, marking the first time in the country to decriminalize the use of drugs. which was disrupted due to implementation issues.

The new law rolls back a 2020 voter-approved measure that made possession of so-called personal use punishable by up to six months in prison. It also establishes ways to offer treatment as an alternative to criminal punishment by encouraging law enforcement agencies to create diversion programs that will divert people to addiction and mental health services instead of the criminal justice system.

In a signed letter, Kotek said the success of the law would depend on “deep coordination” between courts, police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and local mental health providers, calling them “essential partners to achieve the vision of this law.” told.

Measure 110, approved by voters with 58% support in 2020, made personal use of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine punishable by only a ticket and a maximum fine of $100. Supporters said treatment is more effective than prison in helping people recover from addiction and that the decades-old approach of arresting people for drug possession and use has not worked.

The law directed millions of dollars of state cannabis tax revenue toward addiction services. But money was slow to come out and health officials, already struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, were struggling to set up the new treatment system, state auditors found, At the same time, the fentanyl crisis began to lead to a rise in fatal overdoses.

Those pressures prompted Oregon Democrats to change their stance on decriminalization policy in recent months.

Some who historically supported the measure voted for the new legislation during this year’s short legislative session. While other Democratic lawmakers opposed the measure, concerned it would result in more arrests and increase social inequalities, it ultimately passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature last month.

GOP leaders have long sought changes to Measure 110. Following Kotek’s signature, House Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich said the legislation shows how Republicans “stood together and forced Democrats to reinstate criminal penalties”.

The changes will be effective from September 1.

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