Measure 110: How Oregon Became the First State to Decriminalize Personal Possession
With the 2020 election cycle finally coming to a close, many landmark changes are coming into effect. In our own state of Oregon, people voted on Measure 110 (the Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative), to decriminalize the possession of all drugs. The vote was 58% in favor of the ballot initiative, but this decisive move is still a radical departure from the rest of the United States. While other states like New Jersey and Montana legalized recreational cannabis use last year, the federal government still classes it as a Schedule 1 drug along with many others. It is clear that the U.S. has not yet reached a consensus on drug use, addiction, or recovery, and that could possibly stem from a complex history, where those three issues have been caught up in politics, the criminal justice system, and the healthcare system.
The Legacy of the War On Drugs
Ever since President Nixon’s time in office, the “war on drugs” has portrayed drug use as “public enemy number one.” What Nixon hoped would be a complete eradication of drugs turned into the criminalization of drug users. While it was believed that this would keep others from drug use, it has instead led to the U.S. keeping 1 in 5 people in prison for a drug offense. The war on drugs has also targeted people of color, particularly Black people, more than white people. The hypocrisy is ever-so-clear in the federal differentiation between cocaine variations. American treatment of drug users has been tied to the criminal justice system and prison-industrial complex, rather than a carefully measured-out public health initiative that saves lives and keeps families and communities whole. Carceral logic does not stop drug use from happening. In many cases, punishment can often be more harmful and ineffective for those who deserve more care and compassion, rather than less. The stigmatization and othering that comes with a criminal record can also affect people long after they leave prison, leading to complications for people in recovery out of their control.
The Support Behind Measure 110
With Oregon being the first state to support broad decriminalization, Measure 110 represents a pivotal turning point for how addiction can and should be treated, as it will soon go into effect on February 1st. Both the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the Drug Policy Alliance financially supported Measure 110, turning away from punishment and towards rehabilitation. Local supporters include MHAAO’s Janie Gullickson and Outside In’s Haven Wheelock. Janie details her own experience as a person in recovery, having faced the inadequacy of Oregon’s criminal justice system and the powerful, life-saving potential of treatment. Hearing testimonies made by people, like Janie, who understand the real-life impact of government policies around addiction humanized the movement behind Measure 110. Measure 110 is a product of years worth of dedication and hard work from peers who were on the ground, working to understand what can help people in recovery like themselves own their agency in healing, without punitive or judgmental measures.
Measure 110’s Changes
Under Measure 110, the possession of drugs will now be treated as a civil violation like traffic offenses, with a fine rather than jail time. People can also choose to avoid that fine, if they agree to a health screening. In addition, cannabis tax revenue will be redirected towards Addiction Recovery Centers and the Drug Treatment and Recovery Services Fund that will pay for treatment, housing, etc. for those in recovery. This will help make resources more readily accessible for those who want and need support but could not otherwise afford it.
Portugal and Oregon: Decriminalizing Drugs Together
Oregon is not alone in the decriminalization of drugs. Portugal has been practicing decriminalization for two decades, after its people were struggling through a heroin epidemic. Since then, outreach groups helped users with safer consumption to better take care of their health and combat the spread of HIV. Facilities were also opened, where people could consume drugs with trained staff on hand. While a controversial move, taking away the stigma around drug use has led to an increase in people seeking treatment and proper support systems and state infrastructure saving lives.
Today, America is working through an opioid overdose epidemic. According to the CDC, from 1999-2018, around 450,000 people have died from an overdose linked to opioids. Prescription opioids caused the first wave, due to inaccurate claims from pharmaceutical companies over the risk of addiction. Unfortunately, many people have been affected by this crisis, and it compounds Nixon’s war on drugs. In Oregon though, pharmacists can give naloxone without a prescription, as long as the person is trained on how to use it. It can reverse an opioid overdose temporarily and help save someone. Efforts are being made to figure out how to best take care of drug users, and the people of Oregon are making a real case in support of harm reduction.
Oregon might be the exception for now, but it could also be setting the tone for living free from the war on drugs.
