Oregon thinks again about drug decriminalization

[mspart]

https://apnews.com/article/oregon-drug-decriminalization-law-3f851183d45e9c29609360b09e996d04

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers in Oregon on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping new bill that would undo a key part of the state’s first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law, a recognition that public opinion has soured on the measure amid rampant public drug use during the fentanyl crisis.

The bill would recriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs as a low-level misdemeanor, enabling police to confiscate them and crack down on their use on sidewalks and in parks, its authors said. It also aims to make it easier to prosecute dealers, to access addiction treatment medication, and to obtain and keep housing without facing discrimination for using that medication.

“It’s the compromise path, but also the best policy that we can come up with to make sure that we are continuing to keep communities safe and save lives,” state Sen. Kate Lieber, a Portland Democrat, told The Associated Press.

Voters passed the pioneering decriminalization law, Measure 110, with 58% support in 2020. But Democratic legislators who championed it as a way to treat addiction as a public health matter, not a crime, are now contending with one of the nation’s largest spikes in overdose deaths, along with intensifying pressure from Republicans and growing calls from a well-funded campaign group to overhaul it.

Researchers say it’s too soon to determine whether the law has contributed to the state’s deadly overdose surge, and supporters of the measure say the decades long approach of arresting people for possessing and using drugs didn’t work.

That last paragraph cracks me up.   It's too soon?  Har har har.

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/28/data-show-overdoses-deaths-rising-in-oregon/

In 2019, 280 people died of a drug overdose in Oregon. Fatalities rose every year after, more than tripling by 2022, when 956 died. And last year, even more people died, according to preliminary data. Each month the number has been higher than the previous year, reaching 628 in June. The state is still compiling data for 2023, but if the trends continue, the total would reach 1,250 deaths from an overdose.

Looks to me like the researchers aren't looking hard enough.   2019 drugs were illegal and deaths were at 280.   2020, drugs were legalized and each year from 2020-2023, the number of deaths rose dramatically.   956 died in 2022, and projected 1250 in 2023.   "Seems like  something happened in 2020 but we just aren't sure what that might have been" they are saying.   These are not researchers, they are sycophants for the drug decriminalization cabal.  

Portland, the city of Roses, the most livable city some years ago is now a cesspool.   As bad as Seattle and San Francisco.   Just sickening what these politicos have done to once vibrant and beautiful cities.  

mspart

mspart

 

 

[mspart]

https://www.kptv.com/2024/02/19/oregon-sees-highest-fentanyl-overdose-death-increase-nation/

Oregon sees highest fentanyl overdose death increase in the nation

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A new report shows that Oregon’s fentanyl overdose rate has grown 1,500% since before the pandemic, the highest rate of increase in the U.S.

The data comes from records held by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Every state that reported fentanyl deaths saw an increase. But, Oregon’s increase of about 1,530% topped the charts, with 1,268 deaths between September 2019 and September 2023.

Gee, what changed?   Now Oregon is a low population state with  much of it concentrated on the west side.   Portland, Salem, and Eugene as the biggest cities.   4.2 million total in Oregon.   Most of it is very rural and hostile climate wise.   So not a lot of population outside of the big cities.   For a small state to lead the nation in growth of fentanyl deaths is really something.   And those researchers can't figure out why.   Let's let it stay static for another 10 years and then maybe those researchers can tell a difference after thousand and thousands of people die of drug overdose.   

mspart

[Offthemat]

But they meant well.