Oregon’s addiction crisis is fueled by fentanyl, which is short acting and stays a long time in the body. (Getty Images)
Oregon lawmakers are starting to wade into the work of monitoring whether the state’s new drug possession law will successfully help the state combat Oregon’s fentanyl addiction and overdose crisis.
House Bill 4002 , which took effect on Sept. 1, is just beginning to roll out. The bill recriminalized low-level drug possession and provided funding so county officials, if they desire, can set up deflection programs that help people avoid charges if they seek treatment or other recovery services.
For now, the state has little information about how effective the programs will be in keeping people out of jail and getting them in treatment in the 28 counties that are participating.
What is on the rise since Sept. 1: The number of drug possession arrests statewide, Ken Sanchagrin, executive director of Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, told lawmakers Tuesday in the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response.