Oregon Lawmakers Propose Recriminalizing Drug Possession

Oregon Lawmakers , Propose Recriminalizing , Drug Possession.
Three years after becoming the first state to
decriminalize low-level drug possession, Oregon is
poised to reverse parts of its decision, 'Vice' reports. .
On January 23, Democratic lawmakers
announced a proposal to recriminalize
the possession of small amounts of drugs. .
The proposed changes have been
criticized by both harm reduction
and criminal justice reform activists.
The proposal would make possession
a class C misdemeanor, punishable by
a $1,250 fine or up to 30 days of jail time.
People would still have the ability to negate
those charges by participating in a deflecting
program, which involves behavioral health
screenings and contact with case managers. .
Currently, the state's decriminalization policy considers the
same offenses as class E violations, punishable by a $100
fine that can be waived by undergoing a health screening.
Currently, the state's decriminalization policy considers the
same offenses as class E violations, punishable by a $100
fine that can be waived by undergoing a health screening.
With this proposal, we are braiding
together the public health and public
safety systems to create as many
effective pathways to treatment
and recovery as possible through
proven, evidence-based solutions, Rep. Jason Kropf, via 'Vice'.
Advocates for justice reform held a press conference slamming the proposed changes.
When they push forward with criminalizing
people with substance use disorders by
giving them jail time and fines, the
government, our lawmakers, are
choosing to inflict harm and violence
on vulnerable Oregonians, especially
Black, brown, and low income,
and rural Oregonians. , Gloria Ochoa-Sandoval, policy and political director at Unite Oregon, via 'Vice'.
When they push forward with criminalizing
people with substance use disorders by
giving them jail time and fines, the
government, our lawmakers, are
choosing to inflict harm and violence
on vulnerable Oregonians, especially
Black, brown, and low income,
and rural Oregonians. , Gloria Ochoa-Sandoval, policy and political director at Unite Oregon, via 'Vice'.
Tera Hurst, executive director at Oregon Health
Justice Recovery Alliance, warns that recriminalization
will put an additional strain on public defenders
and already overcrowded treatment facilities.
Tera Hurst, executive director at Oregon Health
Justice Recovery Alliance, warns that recriminalization
will put an additional strain on public defenders
and already overcrowded treatment facilities