The city of Portland, Oregon, is facing a crisis as it grapples with the impending recriminalization of drug possession. Less than three months before the new law takes effect, local leaders are in closed-door meetings drafting a plan that critics argue will do little to address the underlying issues of addiction and drug use in the state’s most populous county.
The proposal, which has not yet been made public, is drawing criticism from Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who believes it will create “an endless revolving door” for individuals caught with drugs. Instead of providing direct access to treatment as an alternative to arrest, the plan appears to offer little in the way of meaningful solutions.
The move to recriminalize drug possession comes after Oregonians voted to decriminalize all drugs in 2020, a decision that led to a surge in open-air drug use and overdose deaths. Lawmakers responded to public backlash by passing a new misdemeanor drug possession charge earlier this year, giving individuals caught with small amounts of substances like meth and fentanyl a choice between treatment and jail time.
In Multnomah County, County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson is leading the effort to implement the new law. The proposed plan would allow individuals caught with drugs to avoid arrest by checking in at a drop-off center, with no requirement for screening or treatment. Critics argue that this approach fails to address the root causes of addiction and could perpetuate a cycle of drug use and arrest.
While some local leaders support the plan, others have raised concerns about its effectiveness. District attorney-elect Nathan Vasquez and at least two county commissioners have criticized the proposal, calling it a return to a failed formula that does little to help individuals struggling with addiction.
As the September 1 deadline for the new law approaches, the city of Portland is facing a critical juncture in its approach to drug policy. With neighboring counties taking a more heavy-handed approach to enforcement, the debate over how to address drug possession in Oregon is far from over.
