Oregon Drug Decriminalization In Jeopardy: Bill To Reverse Policy Awaits Gov. Kotek’s Approval Amid Controversy
Oregon lawmakers passed a bill seeking to reform the state’s approach to drug possession and addiction treatment. House Bill 4002, designed to counteract the fentanyl crisis and amend aspects of the voter-approved Measure 110, is now awaiting Governor Tina Kotek’s signature.
Legislative Consensus To Reintroduce Penalties
The bipartisan effort resulted in a Senate vote of 21-8, closely following a 51-7 vote in the House. HB 4002 proposes to reintroduce criminal penalties for the possession of small quantities of drugs, in a bid to funnel more individuals into treatment programs rather than prison.
This shift represents a significant departure from the decriminalization approach established by Measure 110 in 2020. “I can’t stress enough that inaction is not an option,” emphasized State Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber (D), co-chair of the joint addiction committee, who guided the bill through both chambers, as reported by the Oregon Capital Chronicle. She highlighted the critical …