Oregon Lawmakers Pass Bill to Reintroduce Criminal Penalties for Drug Possession
In a move that has caught the attention of many, Oregon lawmakers have approved legislation to recriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs. This decision marks a significant shift in the state’s drug decriminalization policies and comes as a response to the ongoing overdose crisis in the United States.
The bill, known as House Bill 4002, received overwhelming support in both the House and the Senate. It passed with a vote of 51-7 in the House and 21-8 in the Senate. Now, the bill awaits the signature of Governor Tina Kotek, who has expressed openness to rolling back decriminalization.
The passage of this bill signifies a renewed commitment to providing Oregonians with access to the necessary treatment and care for substance use disorders. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, one of the bill’s authors, believes that this legislation will initiate transformative change for the state’s justice system.
Under the new law, possessing small amounts of drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine will be classified as a misdemeanor offense, carrying a potential jail sentence of up to six months. Additionally, police will have the authority to confiscate drugs and crack down on their use in public spaces like sidewalks and parks. However, the bill also emphasizes offering drug treatment as an alternative to criminal penalties.
One of the main goals of this legislation is to facilitate easier prosecution of individuals involved in drug sales. It also aims to improve access to addiction medication and ensure that individuals can obtain and maintain housing without facing discrimination due to medication use.
The push for recriminalization comes after the decriminalization of personal-use amounts of drugs was approved by Oregon voters in 2020 under Ballot Measure 110. The measure was expected to redirect marijuana tax revenues towards drug treatment and harm reduction programs. However, an audit report released in 2023 revealed that the state’s care network for substance use disorders remained inadequate, with Oregon ranked last in access to treatment.
The alarming rise in overdose deaths further intensified Republican pressure to revisit the issue. A well-funded campaign group advocated for a ballot measure that would further weaken Measure 110, prompting lawmakers to take action.
While it is too early to determine whether the decriminalization law contributed to the surge in overdose deaths, critics argue that reverting to criminal penalties is not the solution. Supporters of the decriminalization measure believe that the previous approach of arresting individuals for drug possession and use proved ineffective over the years.
However, opponents of the bill, including Democratic Senator Lew Frederick, voiced concerns about its flaws. Frederick, one of four Black senators, emphasized that substance use disorder primarily requires a medical response. He expressed worries that the legislation might perpetuate failed punitive narratives and potentially funnel more people into the court system without addressing their health needs.
As the bill awaits Governor Kotek’s signature, it remains to be seen how this change in drug policy will impact Oregon’s struggle against the overdose crisis. The decision has sparked a debate on the most effective strategies to combat substance use disorders while ensuring equitable treatment for all individuals involved.
