Oregon legislators consider cutting millions from drug services after drug decriminalization

Two years after Oregon voters decriminalized possession of all drugs, lawmakers are debating how to seize millions of dollars from drug services and return them to local governments.

Proponents of the proposal argue that the state’s first drug decriminalization law in the country has taken too much money from cities, counties and the state police to fund drug services. But detractors argue that not funding recovery services would be disastrous.

“At a time when lethal drugs predominate and overdoses are skyrocketing, now is not the time to cut addiction treatment services,” said Ron Williams, director of communications for the Health Equity Restoration Alliance, during the first of several hearings on proposed bill. .

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Voters passed Measure 110 in 2020, making Oregon the first state to decriminalize personal possession of hard drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl. The law redirected much of the state’s marijuana tax revenue, which previously benefited schools, police and local governments, to fund grants for drug treatment services.

“As a result, our ability to pay for public health and public safety services has diminished,” a coalition representing 25 mayors in the Portland metro area wrote to lawmakers last week, adding that Measure 110 has siphoned $45 million from cities and counties in the past. some years.

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To date, more than $300 million has been committed to services such as clean needles, naloxone, peer support and more. The Oregon Health Authority said more than 60,000 people had been funded as of September.

HB 2089 proposes to take some of the marijuana tax revenue earmarked for addicts and schools and return it to local governments and police.

At a time when lethal drugs are widespread and overdoses are on the rise, Measure 110 supporters say lawmakers should not cut funding for drug services. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Representatives from the Oregon cannabis industry were among those who testified in support of HB 2089 last week, arguing that it would better balance funding priorities in the state.

“For the economic viability of counties, the businesses that operate in them, and the Oregon marijuana bill, we need to be safe and local governments need to be efficient,” said Amanda Metzler, founder of FARMS Inc.

Hearings in HB 2089 are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ramiro Vargas featured in the accompanying video.