Oregon Voters Reconsider Measure 110 as Support for Repeal Grows, Reveals Recent Poll

A recent poll conducted by Emerson College Polling has unveiled that a majority of Oregonians are in favor of repealing Measure 110, the idiotic law that decriminalized small amounts of street drugs while channeling substantial tax revenues into supposed treatment programs and support services.

The survey, carried out this month, paints a picture where 56% of Oregon residents are now backing a complete repeal of Measure 110, while an even larger percentage, 64%, are supportive of the idea of scrapping certain aspects of the law.

One of the most glaring outcomes of the perceived shortcomings of Measure 110 has been its disproportionate impact on drug users in Oregon.

Since the law came into effect, the annual overdose rates in the state have risen by a staggering 61%, in stark contrast to the 13% increase seen nationwide, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Who would of thought letting people openly do hard drugs could have consequences?

Kevin Sabet, a prominent figure who played advisory roles in drug policy under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, expressed his observations regarding the poll results.

“The takeaways are, Republican or Democrat, people want change,” he asserted, noting the bipartisan dissatisfaction with Measure 110.

Sabet, who currently leads the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions, an organization that commissioned the poll, is known for his opposition to cannabis legalization.

The sentiment that the law compromises community safety is echoed by half of the poll’s respondents.

Interestingly, the geographic breakdown of support for Measure 110 showcases a clear pattern. The law found its strongest backing among voters in Oregon’s 1st Congressional District, which is centered around Portland.

Conversely, the highest resistance emerged from voters in the 2nd Congressional District, spanning across Eastern Oregon.

In broader terms, the poll reveals that 58% of Oregon voters believe the state is heading in the wrong direction, compared to the 42% who hold an optimistic view.

The Emerson poll included 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/- 3%.

It reflects similar sentiments expressed in a previous report from Portland State University earlier in the year, where law enforcement officials in Oregon criticized Measure 110 for its perceived ineffectiveness and negative impact on public safety.

Advocates of Measure 110 originally pitched it as a “revolutionary approach to addressing addiction in Oregon”.

Departing from the conventional cycle of incarceration, the law was conceptualized to guide individuals towards treatment and assistance, encompassing elements like housing support and peer counseling.

Oddly enough, the campaign for Measure 110 coincided with the rise of fentanyl, an extremely addictive synthetic opioid, which had become a prevalent issue in Oregon and the nation.

Passed in 2020, Measure 110 essentially equated minor drug possession to a traffic violation.

Those found with small amounts of drugs were given the option to either contact a statewide hotline for substance-abuse treatment screening or pay a rather small $100 fine.

However, the data from the Oregon Judicial Department indicates that a significant number of those cited have not engaged with either option.

Since the law’s implementation in February 2021, more than 5,540 drug possession violations have been filed, with the majority of offenders neglecting to either pay the fine or undergo the screening, as per state records.

Sabet views the poll results as a cautionary tale for advocates who intend to replicate similar policies in other states.

“The rest of the country is watching Oregon very closely,” he emphasized, highlighting the increasing national awareness of Measure 110 due to its controversial reputation.

Measure 110 received substantial financial backing from the Drug Policy Alliance, a New York-based group dedicated to criminal justice and drug policy reform.

This same organization played a pivotal role in supporting Oregon’s successful marijuana legalization effort in 2014, injecting approximately $5 million into the campaign, according to state campaign finance records.

Tera Hurst, the leader of the Oregon Health Justice Recovery Alliance, a coalition of state and national groups that stood behind Measure 110, acknowledged the concerns of Oregon residents amidst the fentanyl crisis and rising homelessness rates.

She points that the rollout of funds has been tumultuous but pointed out that services addressing these issues are gradually coming into operation, including detox facilities, outpatient treatment, and sober housing.

Hurst emphasized that citations are just one entry point into treatment, and that around 8,400 individuals have already accessed treatment services funded by Measure 110, according to the latest data.

Hopefully other states will take note- decriminalizing hard drugs actually has terrible consequences.

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Lagrand Observer