In Defense of Drug Decriminalization—Yes, in Oregon ( www.thenation.com )

jordanlund , 9 months ago (edited 9 months ago)

Oregonian here. 110 has been an absolute disaster. The intent was good, legalize the drugs and incentivize treatment. You get busted with drugs it’s a $100 fine, and that fine is waived if you seek treatment…

You don’t even have to GET treatment, you just have to call a toll free number and ask about treatment options.

The first year, just over 16,000 people were ticketed. Less than 1% opted to ask about treatment.

Meanwhile every no-account addict is rolling to Oregon, Honduran gangs are operating in our streets with impunity 2-3 blocks from the police HQ, theft is up, property crime is up, and the only “harm reduction” portions of 110 that ARE actually being used are free needle exchanges and Narcan distribution.

Fire Station #1 stated they did 76 overdose calls on Labor Day weekend:

“In some cases we treat the same patient in the same week. And we know through our partners of AMR (ambulance service), that the same patient has overdosed multiple times in a day,” says Friedericks. “I know that even when we try to help, our help is unwanted, wares on all of us.”