Oregon to re-criminalize drugs after 'dystopian nightmare' of fentanyl addiction

Lawmakers say Oregon has become a 'drug tourism state'; with people coming there to use drugs on the street. Photo: James Breeden/Breden Media LLC

The US state of Oregon has voted to repeal its decriminalization of drug possession after experimental measures sparked a «dystopian nightmare» of fentanyl addiction on the streets.

State lawmakers have voted to criminalize the possession of small amounts of heroin and methamphetamine, allowing police to crack down on drug users in public parks and on the streets.

The $211m (£167m) bill would effectively end the Oregon law. a three-year experiment in drug decriminalization that began with a referendum on drug trafficking penalties in 2020.

The previous law, known as Measure 110, decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cocaine, heroin, LSD and methamphetamine.< /p>

But it has become increasingly controversial in the state after drug overdose rates soared and street heroin became tainted with fentanyl, a stronger opiate.

Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows fentanyl overdose rates in Oregon rose more than 1,500 percent between 2019 and 2023, the sharpest increase in the country.

In January, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a 90-day state of emergency regarding fentanyl in Portland, Oregon's largest city, warning that «our country and our state will never I’ve never seen a drug so deadly and addictive.”

Republican lawmakers said Oregon has become a «drug tourism state» where addicts come from other parts of the U.S. to openly use drugs on the streets, and Christopher Parosa, the Eugene district attorney, said it was witnessing a «dystopia.» a nightmare like a dark Hollywood movie.”

The latest bill would make it a crime to possess small amounts of hard drugs and create a multimillion-dollar fund for court programs and mental health and addiction services.

Kate Lieber, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, said, “With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensuring Oregonians have access to the treatment and care they need.”

Tim Knopp, the Senate Republican leader, said the bill would “put Oregon on the path to recovery and spell the end of the nationwide decriminalization movement.”

The bill now moves to Ms. Kotek to sign into law. She has made it clear that she will support measures to reverse decriminalization.