Oregon has long faced a severe drug crisis, marked by high rates of substance use disorders and low treatment access. This systemic issue, exacerbated by a lack of affordable housing, has resulted in a vicious cycle of addiction, incarceration, and inadequate mental health services. In 2020, voters passed Measure 110, decriminalizing small amounts of drugs to redirect users toward treatment, but rising fentanyl overdoses and other social problems led to its deemed failure. Lawmakers later recriminalized drug possession, while some recovery programs still strive to address the crisis despite reduced resources.
Oregon’s drug crisis, fueled by systemic failures in behavioral health services and a lack of affordable housing, saw a sharp pivot when Measure 110 decriminalized substance possession.
Despite initial optimism, Measure 110 was quickly criticized for coinciding with a rise in overdose deaths, homelessness, and systemic inadequacies in care, leading to its abandonment.
The state, faced with escalating social issues and a rebound in arrests, reversed course last year, reinstating drug possession laws while struggling with retaining treatment funding.
Many programs funded by Measure 110 successfully assist individuals in recovery, highlighting a noteworthy resilience despite reduced resources stemming from the controversial legislative shift.
Collection
[
|
...
]