‘It’s a good bill’: Deschutes DA Gunnels, drug treatment center weigh in on expected impacts from Measure 110 fixes

(Update: Adding video, comments from the district attorney, rehab center)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It was touted as a big win from the legislative short session -  fixes made to Oregon's much-criticized and debated drug decriminalization and treatment Measure 110.

The fix, House Bill 4002 is "a good bill," Steve Gunnels, Deschutes County District Attorney said Tuesday. "It's an improvement -- a vast improvement over what Measure 110 had, for consequences."

Measure 110 was a voter-approved measure that decriminalized possession small amounts of drugs. It went into effect in 2020 and has been widely criticized for not having the positive impacts many expected, and for whatever role it's played in a surge in opioid overdoses since.

House Bill 4002, now awaiting Gov. Tina Kotek's signature, reverses parts of Measure 110, moving to recriminalize drugs in someone's possession, like fentanyl and heroin. 

Recover Together Bend is a new drug treatment center where staff support the change. 

The clinical program director for the organization, Dr. David Campbell, explained Tuesday the reason behind the support -- more funding and attention to the treatment side of the equation.

"Anything that's going to expand access to treatment services and allow greater provision of said treatment services and preventative measures is going to make a substantial impact," Campbell said.

Under House Bill 4002, police can again arrest people who are in possession of even small amounts of fentanyl and heroin.

Gunnels said it also has a strong treatment component, along with the stronger consequences if they don't. 

"They will be encouraged and ordered to go to treatment," he said. "If they fail to follow through with it, the only consequence will be jail."

Campbell said, "HB 4002 recognizes the importance of medication-assisted treatment in addressing substance use disorders. We like to follow the science."

Currently, if someone is in possession of drugs, police issue them a violation citation, and a maximum fine of $100.

Gunnels believes the reforms brought by House Bill 4002 will improve public safety. 

"This bill, when signed into law, will help law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts get people into treatment," he said. "It will give them strong incentives to go to treatment, which was lacking in Measure 110."

 The bill had bipartisan support. Outgoing  state Sen. Tim Knopp, the Senate Republican leader, said it will put Oregon on a path to recovery.