What Happened?

  • Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed legislation re-criminalizing the possession of small amounts of hard drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail or probation.
  • The new law aims to address concerns over increased drug overdoses, addiction, and related issues since the 2020 decriminalization measure.
  • Successful implementation will require coordination between courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and mental health providers.

What the Conservative Media is Saying:

  • Since the 2020 decriminalization measure, Oregon witnessed an increase in drug addictions, overdoses (75% rise between 2020 and 2022, 20% increase in 2022), violent crime (17% increase), public drug use, homeless camps, homelessness, homicides, and overdose deaths (472 in 2020 to at least 628 in 2023). [The New York Post, The Blaze, The Daily Caller]
  • The new law enables police to confiscate drugs and crack down on their use on sidewalks and parks, while allowing law enforcement to decide whether to give violators the chance to pursue treatment before booking them into jail. [The New York Post, Breitbart]
  • Supporters of the 2020 measure claimed that treatment is more effective than jail time in helping people overcome addiction, and officials promised that cannabis dispensary tax revenue would fund addiction services, but the money reportedly did not come in as promised, and an improved care network was never fulfilled. [OANN, The Daily Caller]
  • GOP leaders were highly critical of the 2020 decriminalization measure, with House Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich saying the new law illustrated how Republicans “stood united and forced Democrats” to restore criminal penalties. [OANN]
  • Kotek declared a fentanyl state of emergency in Portland in January, citing the drug’s deadly and addictive nature, and signed another bill allocating $211 million for behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and prevention education. [The New York Post, Breitbart]
  • Newer polls consistently show Oregonians’ minds changing about the drug decriminalization law, and video footage shows people doing drugs on the streets in Oregon. [Breitbart]

What the Liberal Media is Saying:

  • The new law, House Bill 4002, classifies possession of small amounts of hard drugs as a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail or drug treatment instead of criminal penalties, effective September 1. [CNN, NBC News]
  • Gov. Kotek highlighted provisions of the law that can prevent jail time for defendants by encouraging pre-arrest deflection, conditional discharge, and formal probation, aiming to mitigate racial and ethnic disparities. [CNN]
  • Opponents, including treatment providers and public defenders, say the new law marks a return to the failed war on drugs. [NBC News]
  • Advocates touted the original measure as an opportunity to help people with addiction get help rather than face jail time, but the intended care network was never fully implemented, frustrating lawmakers. [NBC News]
  • Spikes in overdose deaths, largely driven by fentanyl use, and an increase in homelessness created a political backlash, with opponents arguing that the decriminalization pilot program had not achieved its intended results and had only worsened open-air drug abuse. [NBC News]

Contested Claims: None.

Sources:

  • The New York Post
  • The Blaze
  • The Daily Caller
  • Breitbart
  • One America News Network (OANN)
  • Newsweek
  • CNN
  • NBC News

Links: