Oregon Recriminalizes Personal Drug Use

Oregon has officially reinstated criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of hard drugs, reversing its pioneering decriminalization policy that was in place for three years. This legislative change, passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, transforms personal use possession into a misdemeanor with potential jail time of up to six months. The decision comes amid a significant increase in overdose deaths, largely attributed to the fentanyl crisis, as previous measures struggled to address addiction effectively. Supporters of decriminalization argue that treatment is more beneficial than incarceration, while critics of the new law express concerns about creating an inconsistent landscape of enforcement across counties. Despite the recriminalization, the law allows for treatment alternatives, though it does not mandate counties to implement such programs, potentially leading to unequal access to support services. Currently, 28 of Oregon's 36 counties are seeking grants to support deflection programs aimed at diverting individuals from the criminal justice system towards addiction treatment.