A recently released report by Portland State University (PSU) researchers into the effect of Measure 110 on Oregon’s spike in drug-related deaths reveals that the Covid-19 pandemic- specifically the increased use of fentanyl, played a significant role.
Oregon Drug Deaths Spike Post-COVID-19
Oregon’s Measure 110 decriminalized possession of personal amounts of all controlled substances between February 2021 and August 2024 and increased funding for behavioral health services to pivot away from incarceration and criminal charges, and implement a ticket with referral to services when users have small amounts of drugs.
In the meantime, lawmakers have contemplated recriminalizing minor drug possession covered under Measure 110. While other studies had conflicting conclusions, the public perception was different:
A 2023 survey suggested voters thought the law was ineffective and that problems got worse after it passed in 2020…