Oregon Becomes First US State To Decriminalize Cocaine, Heroine & All Hard Drugs

Measure 110 passed making Oregon 1st state to decriminalize drug use

Oregon ranks nearly last of all states in access to basic drug treatment. One in 10 Oregonians is addicted to drugs, and one to two Oregonians die of drug overdoses every day, sometimes while they are waiting to get treatment. This is a crisis. 

Meanwhile, the current drug laws can ruin lives based on a single mistake. Possession of even a small amount of drugs can land someone in jail and saddle them with a lifelong criminal record that prevents them from getting a job, getting housing or even a credit card.

Oregon authorities still arrest nearly 9,000 people a year for simple drug possession, punishing them instead of offering drug treatment. Many others struggling with addiction don’t seek treatment for fear of being arrested. Measure 110 will greatly expand access to drug treatment and recovery services throughout the state, using funds from Oregon’s existing marijuana tax.  

Oregon will now shift from punishing drug addiction to using a health-based, treatment-first approach, Measure 110 has received more than 125 endorsements from organizations across the state, including the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Physicians, the Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon School Psychologists’ Association, the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, the Crime Victims’ Rights Alliance, and the Academy of Family Physicians.

More great reading