Poll shows declining support for Oregon’s drug decriminalization.

Measure 110, the ⁢“Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act,” was approved in ​November 2020 with 58 percent voter support.

When it became ⁢law, the measure decriminalized user amounts of​ hard drugs—including ‍fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin—in favor⁢ of addiction treatment options to be funded by the⁤ state’s cannabis tax.

But the ‍rollout⁢ of treatment‌ programs has ‌been ‍an abject failure. The first of the promised detox centers just opened in ‌August.

And,‌ an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) audit found that just‍ 1 percent of people who were cited for possessing controlled substances sought treatment ⁢using a⁣ new​ hotline⁣ created as part of the measure.

Now the state is grappling‌ with an ⁣opioid crisis and increased homelessness, both of which critics ⁢contend⁢ has been exacerbated by decriminalization.

Substance abuse in the state has exploded.

Since 2020, Oregon⁤ has ⁤experienced a 210 ‌percent increase in ⁣fentanyl-related fatalities, according to the OHA’s ⁣Public Health Division.

Overdoses in the state increased⁤ between November 2021 and​ November 2022 by⁢ nearly 4.58 percent, surpassing the national⁤ average ⁢by ‌sevenfold, according to the Centers for⁢ Disease Control and Prevention.

Many Oregonians⁤ blame Measure 110, and most now‍ want it‍ repealed.

The ⁢Survey Says

An Emerson College poll ⁤of 1,000 registered Oregon voters found that 56 percent support ⁤a⁤ complete repeal of Measure 110, while ⁤64 percent believe parts should be ⁢repealed in order to bring ⁢back penalties for ⁢possession of small ⁤amounts of ‌hard⁣ drugs.

Commissioned by the Foundation‌ for Drug Policy Solutions,⁢ the poll ⁢surveyed registered Oregon ⁤voters “to measure public attitudes towards ‌Measure 110.”

It found that 41 percent of Oregon voters were more likely to vote for‌ a lawmaker if they ‍voted to⁣ repeal the measure, ‍whereas 33 percent said they⁤ were ⁤less likely to vote for the lawmaker, and 25 ⁣percent said this would not ⁢impact how they ⁤vote.

A ⁢majority of respondents also said Measure 110 increased⁢ homelessness in their⁤ communities,​ with 54 percent ‌reporting​ increased​ homelessness and 38 percent saying the​ measure had no ⁤impact on homelessness.

A majority of most‌ racial groups⁤ also supported a full repeal of Measure 110, including about 66 percent ‍of ‌Hispanics or Latinos and African ⁤Americans alike ‌and more ‌than 50 percent of White voters. Less‍ than half of Asian American ⁤or Pacific⁤ Islander voters‌ surveyed were in favor​ of repeal, but nearly ​71 percent of multiracial voters wanted⁣ Measure 110 reversed.

Cities and Counties Speak Out

Amidst a rising number of overdose cases, the city ⁢of Medford, ‍Oregon, and‍ the Jackson County and Coos County ⁢Boards of Commissioners have recently called for the repeal of Measure 110.

In early September, the Portland City Council banned ⁤the use ​of hard drugs ​on ‌public property. The⁢ Clackamas County Board of⁢ Commissioners will be asking voters next spring whether the measure should ⁤be⁢ repealed.

The Medford ​City ​Council ‌released a resolution⁤ stating that rather ‍than reduce drug overdose deaths, Measure 110 has resulted in a significant increase⁣ in overdoses. It also claims the⁣ increased drug activity has negatively impacted “community livability” throughout the ⁤state.

“It ⁢has become dramatically apparent‌ that​ Measure 110 has not delivered as it was proposed to ‍the ⁢voters and‍ is missing the mark​ when it comes‌ to‌ addressing addiction,” said Medford Mayor Randy ⁢Sparacino in a press release.

‌ “I am pleased to see that our ‌council and city leadership are moving forward ​with a resolution seeking a repeal of Measure 110⁤ by⁣ our‌ state legislators and, if that isn’t‌ possible, significant and necessary changes ​to the measure.”

A‍ Governor Under ⁢Pressure

In July, Oregon​ Gov. Tina Kotek signed⁤ a ⁣law once ‌again criminalizing fentanyl.

Under the new law,  possession of ⁣1 to 5 grams ​of fentanyl, the deadliest drug in the state, ⁤is now a⁢ misdemeanor charge.‍ Possession of five to 24 pills is also now a misdemeanor that​ can carry ‍a year jail sentence.

Two milligrams of‍ fentanyl is enough ⁢to cause a ‍fatal overdose, according to the Drug⁣ Enforcement Administration.

Despite the governor’s⁢ action, ​Rep.​ Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) pressed Ms. Kotek about the‌ state’s⁣ approach to mitigating the fallout of ​Measure 110.

“Three years ago, ‌our ⁣constituents voted for a⁣ measure they were told would reduce drug abuse,” Ms. Chavez-DeRemer ⁣wrote in ​a letter dated Sept.⁤ 7. “Instead, drug abuse⁣ has exploded, and our neighbors fighting addiction have been ⁣left to‌ fend for themselves.”

In her letter to Ms. Kotek, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer​ raised concerns that the measure’s shortcomings have ‍failed the homeless population, which proponents of Measure 110 had ⁣said it would help.

“After enabling the trafficking and use ​of deadly drugs, the state failed to provide the accessible‍ health care that was promised. If we want to get serious about drug ⁣abuse ‌in the unsheltered homeless community, we‍ need to⁢ increase restrictions ⁣for‌ drug⁤ access and ensure their health care is provided directly where they live,” Ms. Chavez-DeRemer wrote.

The Republican lawmaker advocated ⁤for qualified street medicine teams that would establish relationships with patients and provide “dual-diagnosis care⁣ right where the ​patient lives.”

The ‍letter ‍ended with a series ‍of⁤ challenges for Ms. Kotek, including considering a ballot measure to repeal Measure​ 110, increasi