7 ms·

>Decriminalizing hard drugs has been a failed experiment in Oregon, where hard drug use shot up drastically. Is the problem the increased usage, or is it the s

>Decriminalizing hard drugs has been a failed experiment in Oregon, where hard drug use shot up drastically. Is the problem the increased usage, or is it the secondary effects (more homelessness, etc)?

runjake 2y ago
I think both, but increased usage + new addictions were specifically cited by the legislation[1] and government officials. The uptick in prevalence of homeless people in the suburban and urban areas is startling though. 1. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Measures/Overview/HB4002 https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Measures/Overv...
UncleOxidant 2y ago
Oregonian here. Both, I think. However homelessness increased everywhere over the same period the legalization covered so it's kind of hard to gauge how much legalization actually increased it. The problem was that there was no way to compel people into treatment for addiction when the drugs were essentially legal. There was an attempt to replicate what Portugal had done in the early aughts, but as I understand it they could compel people into treatment. The other problem was lack of treatment resources - even if people wanted treatment it could be difficult to come by. While I tended to favor decriminalization before, after seeing the results close up it seems that there should have been a longer period of preparation prior to the enacting legalization. And for substances like fetanyl and meth - highly addictive substances that cause people to resort to crime to keep up the habit - it's probably not be a good idea to ever legalize them because overdosing, death and permanent mental damage are common. We need a more nuanced approach where less addictive (and non-addictive) drugs like pot, LSD, shrooms, etc. are essentially legal while highly addictive drugs remain illegal with stiff penalties for distribution.
- lokar 2y ago
  But it’s clear that there is no penalty or enforcement budget that will prevent a black market in hard drugs. You will have heroine and fent users, there is no way to prevent it. So, how do you minimize the impact to everyone?

runjake 2y ago

I think both, but increased usage + new addictions were specifically cited by the legislation[1] and government officials. The uptick in prevalence of homeless people in the suburban and urban areas is startling though. 1. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Measures/Overview/HB4002 https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Measures/Overv...

UncleOxidant 2y ago

Oregonian here. Both, I think. However homelessness increased everywhere over the same period the legalization covered so it's kind of hard to gauge how much legalization actually increased it. The problem was that there was no way to compel people into treatment for addiction when the drugs were essentially legal. There was an attempt to replicate what Portugal had done in the early aughts, but as I understand it they could compel people into treatment. The other problem was lack of treatment resources - even if people wanted treatment it could be difficult to come by. While I tended to favor decriminalization before, after seeing the results close up it seems that there should have been a longer period of preparation prior to the enacting legalization. And for substances like fetanyl and meth - highly addictive substances that cause people to resort to crime to keep up the habit - it's probably not be a good idea to ever legalize them because overdosing, death and permanent mental damage are common. We need a more nuanced approach where less addictive (and non-addictive) drugs like pot, LSD, shrooms, etc. are essentially legal while highly addictive drugs remain illegal with stiff penalties for distribution.

lokar 2y ago
But it’s clear that there is no penalty or enforcement budget that will prevent a black market in hard drugs. You will have heroine and fent users, there is no way to prevent it. So, how do you minimize the impact to everyone?