Oregon’s controversial measure 110 went into effect Monday, decriminalizing possession of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and oxycodone, according to reports.
The measure reclassifies the possession of small quantities of hard drugs as a civil offense: offenders will be fined $ 100, which they can avoid with a ‘health assessment’ – a 24/7 telephone service that will help determine what services an individual needs.
Small amounts contain less than 1 gram of heroin or MDMA; 2 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine; 12 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; and 40 doses of LSD, oxycodone or methadone.
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“People suffering from addiction are treated more effectively with health care services than with criminal penalties,” the bill reads. “A healthcare approach includes a health assessment to determine the needs of people suffering from addiction, and this includes connecting them to the services they need.”
Oregon will also reduce addiction treatment and harm reduction efforts by re-allocating millions of dollars from the state’s cannabis tax.
Moderate amounts of the same medicine, according to the Registry Guard, also reduced the classification from an offense to a simple possession.
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Voters passed the measure in November with strong support from more than 100 organizations, including the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Physicians, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon School Psychologists’ Association, Oregon Academy of Family Physicians, the ACLU and others.
“It takes a lot of courage to try something new, and I’m very proud of our state,” said Haven Wheelock, a damage reduction specialist who submitted the measure, according to OPB. “I’m excited to be a model for other places to show that we do not have to harm people because they are sick.”
Opponents of the measure argued that Oregon was ill-equipped to deal with such a radical new approach to drug use and addiction.
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“I’m hopeful with this new effort that it’s going to be successful in addressing addiction, but I think everyone can agree that it’s an experiment,” said Kevin Barton, Washington County District Attorney.
Fox Best, Paul Best, contributed to this report.