Measure 110 decriminalizes drugs in new, health-based approach to possession
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Measure 110, a new, first-in-the-nation Oregon law that rolls back criminalization of possessing small amounts of drugs, took effect Monday, though some pieces of the overall system are not yet in place.
Oregon voters last November passed Measure 110, or the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act.
The measure’s goal is to establish a more effective and health-based approach to drug addiction in Oregon by shifting the response of drug possession from criminalization to treatment and recovery.
People will now receive $100 citations if charged with personal possession of small amounts of drugs, instead of being charged with a misdemeanor.
Being charged with a misdemeanor usually involves jail time, a small fine, and some sort of temporary punishment. But with this new law those found with small amounts of drugs in their possession will now be cited and be offered help for drug addiction.
Those who do get cited will notice that the new citations will include a phone number on the back, a hotline for drug recovery assistance.
The hope is that is that people will take advantage of the recovery services being offered.
Ron Williams, a community organizer who works on recovery issues in Oregon is one of 21 newly appointment members of the Oversight and Accountability Council for Measure 110.
He told NewsChannel 21 on Monday he sees the potential that comes with enacting of this new measure.
“Addiction is a disease, and treating addiction as a crime has been wrong for a long time,” Williams said. “Treating it like a health issue is the correct approach, and that's what this measure does. It moves it from small possession, personal use amount, out of the criminal justice environment and moves it into the health recovery environment, which is where it belongs."
The measure as initially enacted does not yet include the full array of addiction treatment services and how they will be integrated into the current health care system, but the Oregon Health Authority is administering and supporting implementation all heath aspects of the act.
The OHA is required to establish:
- A Treatment and Recovery Services fund, financed with marijuana revenues, which will support new Addiction Recovery Centers (ARCs) and Community Access to Care grants.
- Fifteen 24/7/365 ARCs throughout the state by Oct. 1, 2021.
- A grants program that will support the ARCs.
- An Oversight and Accountability Council by Feb. 1, 2021, which will oversee the distribution of the grants. OHA will provide technical, logistical and all other necessary supports to the council and is currently taking applications for people who wish to serve on the council.
- A temporary 24/7 ARC telephone line by Feb. 1, 2021.
“My opinion on it is that it is going to do a great deal to reduce disparities in the criminal justice system for Black and brown people in the state of Oregon,” Williams said.
But offering alternative services might not deter people from carrying illegal drugs on them. Repeat offenders are something that Deschutes County sheriff's Sgt. Jayson Janes said law enforcement will probably continue to see.
“If they are addicted, until they receive the proper help, believe we will still see some repeat offenders, just because of the drug's addictive properties,” Janes said.
The 24/7/365 Addiction Recovery Centers required by Oct. 1 can be housed in or operated by existing qualified providers. There will be request for proposals for those contracts.
A grants program also will pay for the treatment and recovery services. Funding for the grants will come from marijuana tax revenue and from the law enforcement savings from reduced arrests.
Keep your laws off my crack pipe!
How about them Cowboys?
I voted NO
Because you’re an authoritarian that stays the course even if it’s not working.
This is funny to me, property crime just went up. what better treatment than 4 years behind bars? That should be enough time to detox, if you fail at that next offence go for 6 years and so on. Just a thought
Junkies rejoice!
I’m curious as to what happens when the fine cannot be paid? Does it matter how many times a person is caught? Will they be forced into rehab, which is proven to have lower success rates when the addict is not willing? I agree it’s a disease but enabling isn’t a way to help addicts.
Wait for it………..The law of unintended consequences will kick in and everyone will say “I didn’t think THAT would happen”
What a contrast: Oregon trying to find a solution to help addicts while Idaho tries to ban marijuana with a constitutional amendment.
LOL
If you don’t pay the fine they waive it. Our great governor is not going to fund until 2022. Dealers have already figured this out, and will keep their supply when dealing to the law limit which is already high.
Keep saying it’s a disease, no you made a choice the first time you used and became addicted. It’s on you.
This will become another Oregon joke.
People will obviously use these whether legal or not
Another shining example of just how stupid and dangerous demonrats are. These brain dead people who vote these s*** s**** people into public office are *cum.
So much name calling, lol. Hey Deplorable, here’s some bad news for you: Liberals are smarter than conservatives. What do you think about that, Mr. Flea Brain? Haha.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201003/why-liberals-are-more-intelligent-conservatives
Quite possibly, but zero common since, smarter is not the only defining factor when it comes to decision making, when I was in the military, there was a “SMART” lieutenant, he and the platoon were running late, so as to be at their extraction point, of witch I was waiting, when they finely arrived, many were wounded, how did they get wounded? well this “smart lieutenant”, thought it would be a good idea, if they started double-timing it in the pitch black darkness, lead most of them right off of a cliff, if you are you talking that type of “smart”, you are right, and I think you are. It is called Democrat smart.
As I understand it – “Being charged with a misdemeanor usually involves jail time, a small fine, and some sort of temporary punishment.” is the normal practice so when they say “But with this new law those found with small amounts of drugs in their possession will now be cited and be offered help for drug addiction.” it seems to me this law favors drug crimes over other misdemeanor crimes by not enforcing the laws fairly. This law means drug addicts have less to fear from the law than Reckless driving, prostitution, theft, minor attempting to buy alcohol, etc. Drug addiction is not a disease, it is a personal choice, like being a drunk or a liberal. Now the druggies are a protected class of people. Drug addicts are losers who can not handle reality. No worries, be happy, China Joe Obiden will fix everything!!!!
The feds are in need of funds. ( drug running op) Plus This allows them to bail out our governor for the expense’s of the Democrat’ first annual. Season’s of Love, Summer in the city venue.
that will rile those up in higher power as before too long we can call our president china joe as they will probably say thats a treasonous offense. if they start rounding people up for calling it the china virus will be sad times, snl wont make fun of him out of a fear of being cancelled, true snl hasnt been funny since 2011 but still
Whoops Oregon done it again. Drug lords already figured this one out. What we need is more dumb-a-krats in office!
Tell yourself society is becoming better, families, stronger, governments more efficient, the individual more moral.