Why MHAAO Supports Oregon Ballot Measure 110
MHAAO’s EVOLVE Director, Terry Lechron-Meyers, holds up a sign that says, “Addiction is a disease that responds to treatment, not a moral failing.”
Ballots will be mailed out very soon, and we want to share why we’re supporting Measure 110, and why we urge you to join us in voting yes.
Measure 110 will increase access to vital drug treatment and recovery services across the state, ensuring that more Oregonians struggling with substance abuse will have the services and support they need to get well.
Why is this measure so urgently needed?
Because right now, Oregon ranks nearly last in the country in access to drug addiction treatment. In some parts of the state, drug treatment and recovery services are not available at all. And in the places where these services do exist, the wait list to get in can be weeks -- or even months -- long.
All the while, our state continues to treat addiction as a crime, sending people with drug addiction to jail instead of connecting them with evidence-based, compassionate care. It’s a cruel and ineffective practice, and incarceration for addiction only makes matters much worse -- adding trauma, and saddling people with a criminal record that makes it harder to obtain employment, housing and more.
By voting yes on Measure 110, Oregonians will have the chance to shift Oregon away from criminalizing addiction, and toward a better, more humane approach. With one to two Oregonians dying from drug overdoses every single day, Measure 110 is urgently needed. Now.
Because Measure 110 will shift us from punishing drug addiction to using a health-based, treatment-first approach, it has received more than 100 endorsements from organizations across the state, including the Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon! We’re proud to be part of the coalition supporting this important initiative. When your ballot arrives in the mail, we hope you’ll join us in voting YES on Measure 110!
MHAAO’s Executive Director, Janie Gullickson, on why she supports Oregon Ballot Measure 110:
“This ballot measure is going to make a huge difference in people’s lives. If they are having a drug use or addiction issue, they will be able to reach out, get nonjudgmental support and connections to a variety of services along the continuum of harm-reduction, treatment and community-based recovery services, rather than a criminal charge, jail and the long-term consequences that come with those criminal charges.
I’m excited about this measure as a person who sought treatment and could not get access to it for far too long...over two decades! I have friends, relatives, and even close family that have desperately sought treatment and have been put on waiting lists while their lives are at risk. The fear of getting a phone call that a close family member did not make it because they could not get access to treatment is very real and present concern on a daily basis.
We need this initiative right now because if people are getting put in jail during this pandemic, it’s risking everyone’s lives, especially if it’s for a health-related issue, such as addiction. Why would putting them in jail and adding on to that health risk be something that’s good for the community or for the person that’s getting arrested?”
Things you can do to support the campaign today:
Has addiction touched your life, or the life of someone you love? Are you fed up with our current criminal justice system? The campaign wants to hear from you! Share your story here.
