What Happened When Oregon Decriminalized Hard Drugs

[WVK]

Early results of this reform effort, the first of its kind in any state, are now coming into view, and so far, they are not encouraging. State leaders have acknowledged faults with the policy’s implementation and enforcement measures. And Oregon’s drug problems have not improved. Last year, the state experienced one of the sharpest rises in overdose deaths in the nation and had one of the highest percentages of adults with a substance-use disorder. During one two-week period last month, three children under the age of 4 overdosed in Portland after ingesting fentanyl.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/what-happened-when-oregon-decriminalized-hard-drugs/ar-AA1e4HA0

[+and-then]

Maybe each state should set aside a publicly-owned territory where users can go and use without fear of arrest or need to steal or commit other crimes to support their habit.  In fact, the state could fund for the supply of these drugs, with careful dosing control and QC to ensure they aren't adulterated with other substances.  Resources like counseling and treatment should be made available within that territory.  Those who finally have a moment of clarity can use them and have a chance to survive.  The rest will do what most addicts and alcoholics eventually do.  

[spartan max2]

Drug overdose deaths increased in basically every state in the last 3 years.

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2023/overdose-deaths-declined-remained-near-record-levels-during-first-nine-months-2022-states

 

Seemed misguided to blame legalization when every other state has it illegal and still saw a rise. 

[+and-then]

14 minutes ago, spartan max2 said:

Drug overdose deaths increased in basically every state in the last 3 years.

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2023/overdose-deaths-declined-remained-near-record-levels-during-first-nine-months-2022-states

 

Seemed misguided to blame legalization when every other state has it illegal and still saw a rise. 

The article mentioned that the rate outstripped the average by 50%.  It also mentioned that the citizens who think changes are needed are 60% + and come from both sides of the aisle.  

[spartan max2]

42 minutes ago, and-then said:

The article mentioned that the rate outstripped the average by 50%.  It also mentioned that the citizens who think changes are needed are 60% + and come from both sides of the aisle.  

 

Feel free to look at the CDC map for that time period. 

My state of Ohio has had much worse overdose deaths by per capita than Oregon and it is entirely illegal here.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/drug_poisoning_mortality/drug_poisoning.htm

I'm sure a lot of people in Oregon want to blame the law, but it's short sighted. States where it's illegal have the same if not worse overdose problem. 

Edited July 19 by spartan max2

[Earl.Of.Trumps]

In my opinion, from what I read, Oregon got quite a spike in cases after passing the law. But if people insist on doing drugs, who am I to say no.

Oh, I would not like to see such a program in my state, unless... they bonded all the drug users. And that ain't happening.

[DieChecker]

On 7/19/2023 at 1:55 PM, spartan max2 said:

 

Feel free to look at the CDC map for that time period. 

My state of Ohio has had much worse overdose deaths by per capita than Oregon and it is entirely illegal here.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/drug_poisoning_mortality/drug_poisoning.htm

I'm sure a lot of people in Oregon want to blame the law, but it's short sighted. States where it's illegal have the same if not worse overdose problem. 

The fact though is the law was sold as it would Decrease deaths, and addicted individuals, as it would create treatment options, and that didn't happen. The options are there, and enforcement requires those ticketed to seek those options, but it is not actually enforced, and all the law did was bring drug use into the open, so we have drugged individuals lying in the streets. Needles, and debris, scattered everywhere.

New state laws are in the works, and already in many cities and counties, that criminalize use under situations, such as endangering children, or imparing businesses, such that de facto, criminalize drugs again, while allowing that "inclusive/tolerance" shine to remain.

Same with homelessness. State passed a law decriminalizing camping on public property a couple years ago, and now every city and county, has passed laws effectively countering that law. No camping within so many feet of a school, business, driveway, emergency access, the list goes on. So basically no camping in any of the urban counties, unless the highly regulated, high security, no drugs, no weapons, no trash, homeless facilities are completely full. Thus the mentally ill, who will never go to a secured, no drugs, location, are totally out of luck, and can be targeted as criminals.

Edited July 25 by DieChecker

[spartan max2]

3 minutes ago, DieChecker said:

New state laws are in the works, and already in many cities and counties, that criminalize use under situations, such as endangering children, or imparing businesses, such that de facto, criminalize drugs again, while allowing that "inclusive/tolerance" shine to remain.

That sounds like the correction just places it in a similar vein to alcohol. Alcohol is legal but I can't drink it in the street, drive, work, or endanger children.

Or like tobacco where it's legal but you can't advertise.

I'm surprised those won't already included under the legalization.

 

Edited July 25 by spartan max2

[DieChecker]

On 7/25/2023 at 2:43 PM, spartan max2 said:

That sounds like the correction just places it in a similar vein to alcohol. Alcohol is legal but I can't drink it in the street, drive, work, or endanger children.

Or like tobacco where it's legal but you can't advertise.

I'm surprised those won't already included under the legalization.

 

Most everybody was. But when the far left gets in total control, these things happen. Luckily their working to fix it.

[Eldorado]

Nearly three years into an experiment that proponents hoped would spark a nationwide relaxation of drug laws, many in Oregon have turned against the decriminalization initiative known as Measure 110, which passed with 58% support in 2020.

People sprawled on sidewalks and using fentanyl with no fear of consequence have become a common sight in cities such as Eugene and Portland. Business owners and local leaders are upset, but so are liberal voters who hoped decriminalization would lead to more people getting help. In reality, few drug users are taking advantage of new state-funded rehabilitation programs.

Change appears likely. A coalition of city officials, police chiefs and district attorneys recently called on the State Legislature to recriminalize hard drugs. A measure to do so is in the works for next year’s ballot. A recent poll found the majority of Oregonians support the idea.

Full article from the Wall Street Journal at MSN: Link

[Unusual Tournament]

Federal funds should go towards making a vaccine for these illegal drugs that either nullify the effects or make the user violently ill. 
 

Fight fire with fire

[Herr Falukorv]

6 minutes ago, Unusual Tournament said:

Federal funds should go towards making a vaccine for these illegal drugs that either nullify the effects or make the user violently ill. 
 

Fight fire with fire

Do you really think that will change anything?? 
The only thing that will make people live their lives without drugs is if their life is worth living and bearable..
To get people to stop using drugs who are allready addicts is extremely hard.
The thing is to give people meaning and hope to not start taking drugs and flee reality..
Many of these people who have used heavy chemicals for years are lost causes if you dont give them really really big help..
And even if you get them clean many of them are scarred for life...
In a country like yours that wont happen... You are so indoctrinated that you dont see your own shortcomings.
You have created this all..
When you have no social security at all..
When something unexpected happens or bad choices can sentence you to a life outside the system and in debt for life..
whats the point to carry on..
 

[Unusual Tournament]

28 minutes ago, Herr Falukorv said:

Do you really think that will change anything?? 
The only thing that will make people live their lives without drugs is if their life is worth living and bearable..
To get people to stop using drugs who are allready addicts is extremely hard.
The thing is to give people meaning and hope to not start taking drugs and flee reality..
Many of these people who have used heavy chemicals for years are lost causes if you dont give them really really big help..
And even if you get them clean many of them are scarred for life...
In a country like yours that wont happen... You are so indoctrinated that you dont see your own shortcomings.
You have created this all..
When you have no social security at all..
When something unexpected happens or bad choices can sentence you to a life outside the system and in debt for life..
whats the point to carry on..
 

Of course I believe it will change the drug problem. Maybe not solve it but certainly make a big difference. 
 

The social impact on young’s lives you mentioned is saddening and I sympathise. And it’s not limited to the poor and downtrodden. Drugs do not discriminate 
 

Counseling, advice and advocacy have failed. I say give science a go.

My experience is people don’t like to be told what to do or how to behave. Let them have a red pill blue pill moment. If it only works for 50% of the drug addicted then it’s 50% less to worry about. 
 

I do know what I’m talking about as I spent a lot of money, time and emotional on a family member. I played percentages. I provided a safe, clean, happy environment. Family keep watch for and protected for most of the day but we couldn’t do it 24/7. It took a lot of time and happy to say it worked. Said family member went back to school and yesterday got accepted in university doing an Arts degree. I’m over the moon!

Not every family can do this, and I pass no judgement but looking at a new way using science is the next step

Edited November 18 by Unusual Tournament

[DieChecker]

I was driving through Salem, the capital of Oregon, and I was looking up at the Golden Pioneer on the top of the capital building, and noticed what looked like a homeless camp and open air drug deals going on. Right there in front of the building.

[Michelle]

20 minutes ago, Unusual Tournament said:

I say give science a go.

A pill that makes them so sick they finally give it up? They have one for alcoholics.

[Unusual Tournament]

6 minutes ago, Michelle said:

A pill that makes them so sick they finally give it up? They have one for alcoholics.

Great! Let’s do it for hard drugs and meth

[DieChecker]

The law is a failure. Supposedly it is still illegal to have public consumption, and trafficking, and public intoxication. But none of those are enforced.

The flip side was State money was supposed to build rehab centers for those given a drug offense ticket, to go to, to clear their fines. But that didn't happen either.

Those ticketed had to pay, or go to rehab, or go to jail. Most chose jail. They'd rather go to jail then rehab. Covid made it worse, because the jails were emptied of non-violent offenders. So there wasn't even jail left as an option.

It opened up tolerance, but did zero on follow up, so the issue exploded. Now it's completely out of control, and a Healthcare crisis.

Plus being so tolerant brought tens of thousands of homeless into the Metro Area, from across the Western US.

Maybe not a bad law, but a failed law. In that the government failed everyone by failing itself to live up to its end of this law.

Edited November 18 by DieChecker

[Herr Falukorv]

Are you guys foar real??? Have you lived in a secluded bubble ??

[Edumakated]

3 hours ago, DieChecker said:

The law is a failure. Supposedly it is still illegal to have public consumption, and trafficking, and public intoxication. But none of those are enforced.

The flip side was State money was supposed to build rehab centers for those given a drug offense ticket, to go to, to clear their fines. But that didn't happen either.

Those ticketed had to pay, or go to rehab, or go to jail. Most chose jail. They'd rather go to jail then rehab. Covid made it worse, because the jails were emptied of non-violent offenders. So there wasn't even jail left as an option.

It opened up tolerance, but did zero on follow up, so the issue exploded. Now it's completely out of control, and a Healthcare crisis.

Plus being so tolerant brought tens of thousands of homeless into the Metro Area, from across the Western US.

Maybe not a bad law, but a failed law. In that the government failed everyone by failing itself to live up to its end of this law.

The problem is not so much that using drugs is legal, but that they tolerate the drug use in public. If someone wants to OD in their home, then that is on them.  The issue is when they are so strung out that they wind up living on the street.  I think the only way to make this really work is you have to still forcibly remove the hard users from the street.  I wouldn't call it "jail" but more like mandatory rehabilitation and treatment.  

The rest of society shouldn't have to put up with these people destroying their lives.  I support more treatment vs standard jail.  

Locally, govt is coming up with hundreds of millions of dollars out of thin air to help migrants, but not doing anything to get the druggies/homeless off the street.

 

 

[Hankenhunter]

Yet nothing is done about alcohol, except sell more of it. Same with firearms. Lots of money to be made, but none for the catastrophic effects they have on society. 

[Hankenhunter]

5 hours ago, Edumakated said:

The problem is not so much that using drugs is legal, but that they tolerate the drug use in public. If someone wants to OD in their home, then that is on them.  The issue is when they are so strung out that they wind up living on the street.  I think the only way to make this really work is you have to still forcibly remove the hard users from the street.  I wouldn't call it "jail" but more like mandatory rehabilitation and treatment.  

The rest of society shouldn't have to put up with these people destroying their lives.  I support more treatment vs standard jail.  

Locally, govt is coming up with hundreds of millions of dollars out of thin air to help migrants, but not doing anything to get the druggies/homeless off the street.

 

 

Treatment costs money. Prisons make money. Can you guess which they'll choose?

[DieChecker]

On 11/18/2023 at 10:23 PM, Hankenhunter said:

Yet nothing is done about alcohol, except sell more of it. Same with firearms. Lots of money to be made, but none for the catastrophic effects they have on society. 

Public intoxication is still illegal. 

I'm not seeing thousands of dru KS stumbling around town. They drink in bars, or at home. Not in the streets.

People are allowed to carry guns in public. Some few do. They get a lot of sh##. They often stop. Most people killed are suicides. Followed by idiot gangsters. The shootings that make the news do so... because they are unusual. Not because they are common. 

I live in an affluent neighborhood. 50% of the people here likely own a gun. I own two rifles. Yet, living here 7 years, I've never heard a gun shot.

Because guns don't mean people kill people. Guns used by idiot criminals means killing people.

[DieChecker]

On 11/18/2023 at 5:18 PM, Edumakated said:

The problem is not so much that using drugs is legal, but that they tolerate the drug use in public. If someone wants to OD in their home, then that is on them. 

I'd agree with that. If they wanted to do drugs in their own home, go for it.

Quote

The issue is when they are so strung out that they wind up living on the street.  I think the only way to make this really work is you have to still forcibly remove the hard users from the street.  I wouldn't call it "jail" but more like mandatory rehabilitation and treatment.  

I'd agree with that too. And have said so in the past, that this will only work if it means "Institutionalizing" the homeless. Because they are the face of the drug crisis, and because they often are mentally unfit.

Quote

The rest of society shouldn't have to put up with these people destroying their lives.  I support more treatment vs standard jail.  

Agree here too. And this is the arguement, along with dozens if lawsuits, that's led toward reform of thus law. The Portland Metro leaders have started cleaning up the streets because they've had judges ordering them to.

The problem is this law was sponsored and sold as workable, by the far left. And as such they were not willing to enforce any of it. And so with the treatment being optional, drug users opted for not going. Especially since the fines, and other punishments were not enforced.

Quote

Locally, govt is coming up with hundreds of millions of dollars out of thin air to help migrants, but not doing anything to get the druggies/homeless off the street.

There are some initiatives in the works. But not because the city wanted to, but due to lawsuits and judges.

 

[DieChecker]

https://www.foxnews.com/media/oregon-opioid-deaths-increase-13x-drug-decriminalization-law-something-different

Quote

Oregon opioid deaths increase 13x after drug decriminalization law: 'We have to do something different'

 

[Doug1066]

On 7/19/2023 at 2:56 PM, and-then said:

Maybe each state should set aside a publicly-owned territory where users can go and use without fear of arrest or need to steal or commit other crimes to support their habit.  In fact, the state could fund for the supply of these drugs, with careful dosing control and QC to ensure they aren't adulterated with other substances.  Resources like counseling and treatment should be made available within that territory.  Those who finally have a moment of clarity can use them and have a chance to survive.  The rest will do what most addicts and alcoholics eventually do.  

The British tried this in China.  Heroin addicts were given low-cost heroin and places where they could shoot up.  The number of addicts increased, provoking the Opium Wars.  It contributed to the British getting kicked out of China.

Doug