Three years ago, Oregon put forth a landmark law that would decriminalize possession of hard drugs. The pioneering experiment that became a landmark law in 2021 has not brought about desirable changes. On Friday, Oregon lawmakers passed a bill that would put criminal penalties on those who possess certain drugs.
The bill called HB 4002 can send users who are caught with small amounts of illicit drugs like meth or fentanyl to jail for six months. However, these people are provided with an option to get drug treatment instead of a criminal penalty. People convicted of possession will then get their conviction expunged automatically.
Other provisions include expanded access to medications that are used to treat withdrawal from opioids. New addiction services facilities will also be created. The bill also provides for steeper penalties for drug dealers, making it easier for prosecutors to tackle the growing drug problem that exists in Oregon.
On Thursday, the House approved HB 4002 with a 51-7; on Friday, the 30-member Oregon Senate passed the bill with a vote of 21-8. The bill got bipartisan support, has headed to the governor’s desk, and has to be signed by Tina Kotek.
Although the Oregon legislature has passed the bill with an overwhelming majority, advocates for the decriminalization of drugs have accused lawmakers of going back on drug policies as the new bill could have adverse outcomes on people of color.
Although Oregon had expected to see positive results by decriminalizing possession of all drugs, leading to emptier jails, the experiment remained unsuccessful. It led to a more significant number of overdoses as fentanyl use spread through Portland. Open drug use became common in public spaces, including parks. The new recriminalizing possession of certain drugs wants to decrease the everyday use of such medications.
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