Oregon's Recriminalization of Drug Possession

SOURCE www.foxnews.com
Oregon lawmakers have recriminalized drug possession in response to a rise in overdose deaths and open-air drug use, leading to a shift in the state's drug laws.

Key Points

  • Oregon was the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of all drugs in 2021
  • House Bill 4002 creates a new misdemeanor drug possession charge
  • The law gives individuals the choice of treatment or jail time

Pros

  • Addresses the rise in overdose deaths and open-air drug use
  • Provides a choice of treatment or jail time for those caught with small amounts of substances
  • Support from surveys for re-criminalizing hard drugs and making treatment mandatory

Cons

  • Criticism from organizations like the Drug Policy Alliance and Oregon ACLU for sending individuals to jail instead of treatment
  • Potential for racial disparities in incarceration rates