Leftist Governor Regrets Insane Drug Policy

The state of Oregon is going back on its drug legalization policy, criminalizing possession of hard drugs which is the standard in the entire world. Following the 2020 law, crime in Oregon has skyrocketed as addicts were left to their own devices in the street.

Voters were initially supportive of legalizing drugs, thinking it would mostly be a private affair in people’s residences. Rather, mentally ill drug users have been roaming the streets acting in anti-social and criminal ways. Fox News explains:

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, on Monday signed into law a bill that reverses Measure 110, a 2020 law that voters approved to decriminalize most illegal possession of controlled substance offenses and redirect much of the state’s marijuana tax revenue to fund grants for addiction services.

Around 58% of Oregon residents approved the initial measure but since then, addiction and overdose deaths have skyrocketed in Oregon and nationwide as fentanyl swept across the country. In August, 56% of Oregonians said they disapproved of the pioneering drug law and both Republicans and Democrats introduced legislation to roll back the controversial measure.

Jail remains one way for addicts to detox, as drugs are very hard and expensive to acquire in prison. A substance treatment program will be offered as an alternative, though its effectiveness is mixed. The NY Post continues:

The new law, which will take effect Sept. 1, will let local law enforcement decide whether to give violators the chance to pursue treatment before booking them into jail.

Another bill Kotek signed Monday, Senate Bill 5204, allocates $211 million to mobilize resources for behavioral health and education programs, including expanded access to substance abuse treatment and prevention education.

Substance abuse cannot be left to addicts to fix by themselves, as they are not of sound mind. Whether jail or a gentler program, America needs to deal with its fentanyl and drug addiction before cities are wrecked. Closing the border is also critical to help this strategy succeed.

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