Ballot Measure 110

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.

State estimates show 1,333 people will be convicted of drug possession and 533 could go to jail every year under the bill approved by Oregon lawmakers last week.

The voter-approved Measure 110 is nearing its end as the Legislature sends a bill unwinding Oregon's drug decriminalization toward the governor's desk.

Oregon's House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would recriminalize drug possession in the state, with 51 members voting to approve the bill. The bill would make possession of small amounts of drugs a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail.

Oregon's bill to recriminalize illicit drug use sailed through a joint committee that was tasked with addressing the state's addiction crisis.

Law enforcement groups now back House Bill 4002, but opposition from fans of decriminalization is as strong as ever.