In Defense of Drug Decriminalization—Yes, in Oregon
By Abdullah Shihipar, Alexandria Macmadu, Ph.D., and Brandon, Marshall, Ph.D.,
“In November 2020, facing a record-breaking overdose crisis, voters in Oregon decided to take a chance on a novel approach to drug use in this country. That fall, voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to decriminalize possessing small amounts of some controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This ballot initiative, known as “Measure 110,” went into effect in early 2021. It reclassified personal drug possession from a misdemeanor to a lower-level violation and set up a “Drug Treatment and Recovery Services Fund” to create new addiction recovery centers. By replacing low-level drug arrests with more humane and health-oriented approaches, such as citations and referrals to services, Oregonians began to undo the harms caused by over 50 years of a failed War on Drugs.”
