Oregon votes to decriminalize hard drugs (Blue State community)

[C C]

https://www.inquisitr.com/6367715/oregon...ard-drugs/

INTRO: Oregon became the first state in the United States to decriminalize the possession of hard drugs and legalize the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes. The new laws were approved by public vote, as reported by BBC News. According to the current state law, people caught in possession of hard drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, faced a maximum penalty of a $6,250 fine and up to twelve months behind bars. When the new laws come into force, anyone that is caught with small amounts of drugs for personal use will have to either pay a $100 fine or undertake a health check at a rehab center.

However, the laws apply only to those carrying hard drugs for personal purposes. According to the new policy, anyone in the state who manufactures or distributes hard drugs still faces criminal penalizing. Moreover, citizens in possession of larger quantities of drugs may still be given misdemeanor charges or even felony charges, depending on whether the amount is large enough to be considered commercial.

The new Oregon law, also known as Measure 110, is set to take effect from February 1, 2021, and counts with the support of the Oregon chapter of the American College of Physicians, the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians and the the Oregon Nurses’ Association... (MORE)

[Syne]

Enjoy the drug-abuse tourism. Like Colorado after legalizing marijuana, expect an increase in homelessness too.

[Leigha]

Well, I think it's a way to rehabilitate drug users as opposed to criminalizing them, and making it difficult for them to find jobs, etc. which exacerbates the problem. If people are treated for their problems, then there will be less drug deaths and better chances of recovery. At least in theory, this sounds hopeful.

[Zinjanthropos]

Well at least by paying $6,150 less in fines and not spending 12 months in the slam for hard drug possession a junkie should be able to afford more drugs and have more time to enjoy them. Did this law just sentence hard drug users to a quicker death....a way to deal with a problem?

[Syne]

Drug rehab only works if the person realizes they have a problem. Otherwise it's just a delay until the next fix, with a lowered drug tolerance as a bonus...and potential overdose risk factor. And I seriously doubt your average drug offenders have trouble finding jobs in Oregon, considering how many there are and how progressive the state is.

Nobody Can Beat Oregon for Drug Use and Abuse
We rank at the top for drug use. The governor's delay on implementing a solution infuriates advocates.
https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2019/10...and-abuse/

the current system is full of questionable programs that don’t provide evidence-based treatment but nonetheless can cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.

There’s also some cause for concern that state funds will flow to substandard treatment providers. Local, state, and federal governments already offer some funds and grants for addiction treatment facilities. But many of the agencies that give out these funds often fall under heavy lobbying by the industry — leading them to perpetuate the broken system as it exists today.
https://www.vox.com/21509815/oregon-ball...nalization

[Leigha]

It’s not a system without its flaws but tossing people into prison for lengthy sentences over personal drug use hasn’t been working, either. That said, certain drugs can cause hallucinations and violent offenders are often high during their crimes. So, it’s reckless on Oregon’s part to assume that drugs only affect the user. What happened to beautiful Oregon?

[C C]

It’s not a system without its flaws but tossing people into prison for lengthy sentences over personal drug use hasn’t been working, either. That said, certain drugs can cause hallucinations and violent offenders are often high during their crimes. So, it’s reckless on Oregon’s part to assume that drugs only affect the user. What happened to beautiful Oregon?

It's probably trying to imitate Portugal's policies. Primarily statistical correlations for that (hyped by journalists) rather than thorough studies. Oregon administrations would also have to invest to a similar magnitude in treating and rehabilitating addicts. Not just make sporadic, token efforts in that area satisfactory enough for making claims in election campaigns, where even slight positive signs and measurements can be hyper-exaggerated. Counties that couldn't supply enough facilities and financially support them perhaps could reap a mess in terms of becoming a mecca for snort-and-injection recreations.      

Drug policy of Portugal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_of_Portugal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_polic...servations

Want to Win the War on Drugs? Portugal Might Have the Answer
https://time.com/longform/portugal-drug-...alization/

Portugal Solved Its Drug Crisis. Why Can’t America Do The Same?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/portugal-...da552d4a6d

[Syne]

It’s not a system without its flaws but tossing people into prison for lengthy sentences over personal drug use hasn’t been working, either. That said, certain drugs can cause hallucinations and violent offenders are often high during their crimes. So, it’s reckless on Oregon’s part to assume that drugs only affect the user. What happened to beautiful Oregon?

Prison is a mandatory sobriety program, where voluntary and out-patient programs only work if there is a real desire to get clean. Mandatory sobriety can lead to a moment of clarity (and hitting bottom) many drug users may not otherwise ever experience.

[Leigha]

It’s not a system without its flaws but tossing people into prison for lengthy sentences over personal drug use hasn’t been working, either. That said, certain drugs can cause hallucinations and violent offenders are often high during their crimes. So, it’s reckless on Oregon’s part to assume that drugs only affect the user. What happened to beautiful Oregon?

Prison is a mandatory sobriety program, where voluntary and out-patient programs only work if there is a real desire to get clean. Mandatory sobriety can lead to a moment of clarity (and hitting bottom) many drug users may not otherwise ever experience.

In theory, I'd say you're right, but I've read that imprisonment doesn't really bring about sustainable recovery. Only a rehabilitative program coupled with the genuine desire of the addict to permanently change, will stand the greatest chance of keeping someone from repeating their offenses. Obviously, Oregon's ''solution'' isn't really the answer, either.

[Syne]

Prison is a mandatory sobriety program, where voluntary and out-patient programs only work if there is a real desire to get clean. Mandatory sobriety can lead to a moment of clarity (and hitting bottom) many drug users may not otherwise ever experience.

In theory, I'd say you're right, but I've read that imprisonment doesn't really bring about sustainable recovery. Only a rehabilitative program coupled with the genuine desire of the addict to  permanently change, will stand the greatest chance of keeping someone from repeating their offenses. Obviously, Oregon's ''solution'' isn't really the answer, either.

The problem is that neither do rehab programs when they're mandated by the court and the individual has no personal intent to get clean. Rehab programs alone do not provide, nor is there evidence they increase, the genuine desire of the addict to change. So in the meantime, you have more addicts on the street who are likely to commit more serious and violent crimes. At the very least, incarceration provides a "time out" to limit the public's exposure to these threats.

I know it sounds nice to pick rehab over jail, but the communities will pay the ultimate price.