Ballot Measure 110

A key provision of voter-approved Measure 110 expands access to drug treatment services and pays for it with Oregon’s cannabis tax revenue. A steady decline in tax proceeds from marijuana sales has led to more funding cuts for recovery service providers.

Addiction treatment services in Oregon are facing a fiscal crunch as a citizen-run oversight council has made sweeping funding cuts. One Eugene-based drop-in recovery center has lost 75% of its budget -- leaving it at risk of closure.

It’s been two months since the possession of small amounts of drugs became a crime in Oregon once again. In Lane County, law enforcement officials said around 130 people are now being charged each month.

Counties will approach enforcement differently, providing yet another large-scale experiment in drug policy.

Washington and Clackamas counties say the Oregon Health Authority didn’t follow appropriate rules when deciding how to dole out funding.

Three elected law enforcement officials and three treatment providers blasted Lincoln County commissioners Wednesday for trying to make last-minute changes to months of their collaborative work on a new state-funded drug “deflection” program.

For three years police in Lincoln County could not do much when they came across someone in possession of a small amount of illegal drugs except issue a $100 citation and give the offender a number to call for help with substance abuse.

Low-level drug possession is once again a jailable offense in Oregon. The change went into effect on September 1, after a three-year experiment with decriminalization.

The rollback of Measure 110 went into effect Sept. 1.

Under the pilot program that started last year, police would still issue Measure 110 tickets, and offer an immediate opportunity to connect with a treatment provider. Police and treatment workers have connected with more than 150 people during the 10 days they’ve worked together, according to Devon Downeysmith, with the Health Justice Recovery Alliance, key supporters of Measure 110.

On Monday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed House Bill 4002, which both expands funding for substance abuse treatment and makes possessing small amounts of hard drugs a misdemeanor beginning Sept. 1.

There was little question about whether Gov. Tina Kotek would sign House Bill 4002, which overwhelmingly passed the Legislature last week. The governor’s announcement that she would sign the bill late Thursday brings certainty to the reality that Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment is over.