The Oregon Experiment | What Happened When a US State Tried to Decriminalize Drugs (In Real Life)

As ground-breaking drug reforms are rolled back in Oregon, lawmakers and advocates weigh what went wrong and if a long-standing decriminalization policy in Portugal can offer any answers on what to do next.
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[@scrippsnews]

What are your thoughts on Oregon's decision to re-criminalize drug possession after initially decriminalizing it? Do you think the state should have followed Portugal's model more closely, or is re-criminalization the right move?

[@ericjohnson5617]

Fact is, Canada did it sooner, decriminalization that is. Fact is, the radio broadcasts flaunted zero deaths. Fact is, it took a half hour for this nurse to dig into Canada stats n find over 300% OD rate in the surrounding area. "Zero deaths, IN the facility "

[@TheDroppedAnchor]

In Portland there is no question the police were against helping druggies anywhere but jail. The Portland police "union" official tells you so on numerous press releases. Portland po-po btw is the very last large metropolitan agency to put body cams to their cops. These facts are related.

[@ericjohnson5617]

@TheDroppedAnchor in what facility would you like ems, the cops, to put a person who is now most def a harm to self and potentially others? M.H. services, even with delayed wait times, is often better than 48/50. Why has there not been equal money spent on prisons/jails spent in the community?

[@galegrazutis964]

WHO GIVES a dam if these PARACITES OD!!!​@@ericjohnson5617

[@bulmarobernal2106]

I think,we need more God, and less freedom,be accountable for our actions.

[@lfnull]

Well, you you do something half-assed, you get half-assed results.

[@ericarichardson2983]

“Until there are other systems in place..” “There aren’t enough beds…” They didn’t have the resources to help the people that were seeking treatment. The people who needed treatment couldn’t pay because Medicaid wouldn’t cover it. Re-criminalizing is just punishing people for being poor. There is no beds in treatment centers, they have no place to go. Rather than invest in treatment facilities they would rather just put people in jail. Which in the long run will only cost the government more money.

[@fauxman1]

Costing the government more money through incarceration and related justice services is the preferred outcome overall. More "criminals" necessitates more funding allocations, simultaneously increasing long-term revenue generation through court mandated fees, prison services, probation, and all related justice services. In addition, the state's cheap and profitable labor pool increases. So prisons and prisoners are paid for several times over. The decriminalization, and treatment approach was left underutilized, underfunded, and/or completely disregarded as existing where it could make a difference with existing infrastructure. People were never informed that they could call a substance abuse hotline instead of facing citation fees and related penalties. Broadly, destined to be deemed ineffective and unsuccessful objectively. So once again, criminalization seems the only viable option. But regardless of how many people end up incarcerated, or legally bound otherwise to the government/state, no matter the increasing "costs" required, there won't ever be an issue with underutilization, underfunding, or broad support withholding to limit the effectiveness of the State and related justice department. Furthermore, an example is made to deter any future ideas or actions deviating from the status quo to be propagated to the public at large. Now you should understand that there's little coincidence or accidents in the end. Helping and treating people doesn't help maintain or secure revenue. But incarcerating/incriminating people does.

[@raeannrutledge]

They could quit using!

[@chriskellypoi]

Most of Oregon isn’t Portland.

[@13donstalos]

Back in my day people had the decency to hide their drug use

[@mrs.georgeglass3997]

they also took responsibility when They'd step out of line and not blame perfectly good drugs, but the people who get to decide now have full pockets, they can promise whatever they want because it doesn't matter to them who're just grateful or lucky to even have a pocket! it's truly tragic.

[@DisdainOnHastings]

Exactly and the giggling or being a bit paranoid is extremely different from being bent over in half like a sandwich for hours

[@twayne4608]

This is what Seattle looks like. It’s more than just Portland.

[@irishgamedog1511]

Every major city in the U.S.A looks just like Portland. This has nothing to do with Oregon law.

[@suspicionofdeceit]

Bingo, it’s a scape goat for drug warriors.

[@yesmhm69]

EXCEPT Oregon never looked like this until the passage of 110! You are WRONG.

[@johannesvender1362]

I live in PDX. The perspective in this is ridiculous.

[@bradgrier4228]

I live in portland, and measure 110 was a joke from inception. I also worked in the field of addiction for 1 years. So if the addict got a ticket, they were never concerned? Nothing happened if they didn't follow through 😂

[@PurpleBlast]

Passing a law without the infrastructure it needs is a mistake. But hindsight is always 20/20

[@DisdainOnHastings]

It absolutely ruined my city I believe whomever thought this was a good idea needs to be jailed

[@JoeSmith-to6td]

Dumbacraps

[@jffroezze7324]

What they did was make the drug dealers a rack of money

[@TheDroppedAnchor]

In Portland there is no question the police were against helping druggies anywhere but jail. The Portland police "union" official tells you so on numerous press releases. Portland po-po btw is the very last large metropolitan agency to put body cams to their cops. These facts are related.

[@Xavier-uknonada]

Its like they didnt hire the necessary personnel to achieve better results. They intentionally didn't implement policies and remedies. Get it together, hire more case workers, and organizers.

[@CatsAreNicer_CG]

I live in Portugal, the policy approach can work but it's not a miracle. We still have drug addicts and it has been increased steadily specially after Covid and the increase of synthetic drugs. These policies work only if the social web works. If people are struggling with basics needs (housing and food prices have skyrocketed) a lot more will use drugs and the support offer will NOT be enough in the US, Portugal or anywhere else.

[@MrVikingmead]

Because a drug addict would care about either a $100 fine or a phone number. And I’m sure following up on a $100 fine would have become a priority.

[@philosopher2king]

It hasn't worked. I know one of the criticisms is that the program hasn't been properly supported, but it has. Vancouver, Canada tried it as well, to equally horrendous results. I live in Seattle, which sits in between these two cities, and I am committed that the same idea is not tried here. I've had to call 9-1-1 on overdosed folks repeatedly, because I am one of the few who overcomes the bystander effect and stops and checks on them. Most people here will literally sidestep an addict flopped over in the middle of the sidewalk, and we are supposed to be one of the most progressive cities in the US. Addiction is a disease, not something to be treated as a responsible adult choice. This goes against the super woke ethos in Pacific Northwest culture, but the rampant drug use is not just a danger for addicts, it is a danger for first responders and children and adults who happen to be around it and is destroying our cities.

[@Scorch1028]

Everyone who says: "We lost the War On Drugs" should pay for their own rehab.

[@philosopher2king]

@@Scorch1028 Not sure what you mean by that. We lost the war on drugs, because the government, stupidly, treated it like a supply issue instead of a demand problem.

[@23joanlee]

@@philosopher2king we lost the 'war on drug people' by not recognizing that criminalization is the reason people get high in the first place. you can't criminalize people.

[@13donstalos]

Addiction may be a disease, but the only way anyone ever defeats it is by making a conscious choice to stop using.

[@danadamson8930]

Nope, it's not a disease.

[@jim9337]

Up here in British Columbia we saw it up close and personal. Now the government is back tracking hard.

[@sonosolo4528]

But filling the prisons with the non violent has worked so well.

[@twolaneasphalt4459]

The reason it doesn't work: Human nature. For a program to ever show a modicum of success, data indicates it must be integrally focused and administrated at the policy, LE, and treatment levels based on three elemental core principles: ● Define addiction as an illness; ● Eliminate the distinction between hard and soft drugs; and ● Concentrate on an individual’s unhealthy relationship with drugs and the likely accompanying frayed connections between the addict, others, and the world at large.

[@monie1527]

Here's some TRUTH WHY I am moving to OR this summer. I bought a small piece of property right on the coast. Right now, I live next door, in Idaho. I cannot receive competent medical care in this state. *FULL STOP*

[@ericjohnson5617]

Competent healthcare ... do you feel 54% is better in OR or Idaho? Do you feel Wa state MH services is Regans fault to become 48/50 or 40 years of 1 party rule?

[@ericjohnson5617]

You did catch that dude WALKED to a worse state to get care? My bet he didn't walk to Cali so he went to a worse state for care... so much journalisming

[@leav388]

We live on the Oregon coast and cannot get competent medical care here either.

[@monie1527]

@@leav388 Like I said....Idaho would rather see me dead as opposed to providing *BASIC* healthcare. Are you aware TWO northern Idaho hospitals have *CLOSED* their Ob/GYN departments?

[@mina2828]

Same problem in Or

[@tylerkeller8869]

I live in Portland and believe that the intention behind decriminalizing drugs was good. However, it has proven to be a complete failure. I am extremely exhausted by the sight of needles scattered all over the ground. It deeply disturbs me to witness kids walking the streets with a piece of tin foil in one hand and a lighter in the other. While I have compassion for those battling addiction, I also understand the sentiments of individuals who simply want to lead their lives and walk on the same streets they contribute taxes to, without being constantly exposed to the consequences of drug use being decriminalized.

[@henryrmarliniii8360]

The reason Portugal succeeded at this, and Oregon didn't. Take the time to read it slowly. Let it sink in. "It's very difficult to identify a causal link between decriminalisation by itself and the positive tendencies we've seen ... It's a total package. The biggest effect has been to allow the stigma of drug addiction to fall, to let people speak clearly and to pursue professional help without fear.' Dr João Goulão Architect of Portugal's decriminalisation policy

[@fauxman1]

No one stands to profit by this information so it likely won't be propagated

[@mikeoxhuge]

This is an a.s.p.c.a. commercial, where's Sarah singing, make me an Angel?

[@brandonmccaskey9337]

Until there is access to free/subsidized treatment and housing for addicts nothing will change. Oregon only did half of what they needed to do. Decriminalization is important but so are treatment and support systems.

[@sprk373]

The record's 3! I've had pts that I've revived at least 8 times sadly

[@alexcasey8325]

You can not build an airplane while it's flying .

[@Imissthefuhrer]

That’s a really good analogy 😂

[@fauxman1]

Exactly why he used those words.

[@duvine3882]

I call shade, this didn't stand a chance without beds for short term or lifetime facilities with daily treatment like insane asylums.

[@jffroezze7324]

So how does the poorest state in the country WV can still cover the cost of inpatient care. It's free for the addict

[@atlas5687]

Also I can attest all that money that was supposed to go towards helping treatment did not it went into politicians pockets and their families pockets and the businesses that they wanted to funnel that money through it didn't go towards treatment the treatment centers did not increase like they said it would

[@ryancarris7164]

We have a van that our clinic sends from portland down south to dispense methadone, I believe it's the only one in the state...

[@dieselboy610]

That's what's up. I'm back on methadone here in Texas. Great clinic.

[@dieselboy610]

That's what's up. I'm back on done in Texas at an great clinic. That fetty is so hard to get off.

[@Scorch1028]

Oregon officials seemed to think that what worked in Portugal would work in Oregon. They were dead wrong. In the U.S., allowing Americans to use hard drugs in public, was a huge mistake.

[@imaniwillis18]

I live in Oregon, they have been using in public since before the law passed.

[@coledrevenj]

110 NEVER allowed public use of drugs. The politicians and the cops are choosing to not stop it and blame it on the measure. Read it, it says nothing about allowing use in public. Use in public = drugs confiscated + $100 fine, so why are the cops allowing public use?

[@Bruce_Quin]

They don’t uphold the law here.

[@man_in_red]

Bro it's good to not put people in jail for getting high. But where are the programs without programs and doctors working with the courts it would never work. That's WhY Portugal so successful

[@mrs.georgeglass3997]

it's better then not attempting to do anything different! at least they attempted! the war on drugs has worked so well! 🙄

[@elliottrau9845]

It’s terrible! Drugs are destroying are cities

[@marcelinosilva4473]

It's a epidemic, all from China made in Mexico delivered here to our American teens, incredibly scary And sad man.

[@TheGruntski]

The province of BC tried the same misguided policies and achieved that same disastrous results.

[@whoopwhoop1584]

With how much $ all this makes you wonder why noone isnt capitalizing on this generational wealth

[@elreekosuaveh2509]

There are people attempting to capitalize on generational wealth. Not through drugs, but through the stock market. What was found was that the same institutions paid for by taxes, are complicit in suppressing price actions that would gain generational wealth for the average person through their investment with funds gained and taxed from their hourly jobs. I would agree with another poster here. We need some spiritual introspection as a society.

[@whoopwhoop1584]

@@elreekosuaveh2509 it was my poorly worded jib towards politics and the idiocracy of some politicians u know profit off there subjects suffering

[@mrs.georgeglass3997]

you honestly believe more than 1 isn't?

[@whoopwhoop1584]

@@mrs.georgeglass3997 facetious comment

[@ericjohnson5617]

Funding - why is it that Wa state is 48/50 in MH services? How big is the budget surplus? Choices.

[@User-rka_zykx76]

It went HORRIBLE😂 Meanwhile I was getting ripped apart for saying it. A lot of people claim psychedelics help get over trauma or to break an addiction, if that’s true why not do that? I think Oregon is one of the states that allow it done by a medical professional. I’ve seen Veterans helped by psychedelics but they didn’t have a history of hardcore drug use. Also I like how for years people have blamed the government agencies for “getting everyone hooked” meanwhile they’re taking free hand outs now 😂🤦‍♂️

[@user-uh2wy5ri9u]

This is so wrong.

[@wonder7798]

There is a lot of profit in keeping people sick, keeping people in poverty and preventing access to basic needs. They get federal funding and if we havent all noticed the consistent audit findings of missing funding, yet they continue to get funding.

[@renecisneros6753]

That whole state is trash bro 😂🤡

[@Primo_extracts]

You can't simultaneously legalize drugs, and remove public social assistance

[@UppersDownersAllarounders]

People are fickle and sheepish.

[@yolandastewart1031]

Isn't 110 the umbrella for decriminalization of drugs and the housing bureau and treatment centers for the homeless housing for homeless people with children and addicts? Or im confused

[@riparianlife97701]

Meanwhile, you've got dentists in all 50 states giving out 30 day prescriptions of Vicodin for a toothache.

[@parvuspeach]

and in portugal you get advil at best after extracting a wisdom tooth :D

[@ericjohnson5617]

VA passing out Oxy like candy

[@riparianlife97701]

@@parvuspeach A few days of pain vs a lifetime of addiction. That's my jam.

[@MylesWilliams-hx6lk]

I'm a dentist in Atlanta GA. I've been practicing for just shy of 29 years. Believe me when I tell you, the DEA would be in my office in 20 minutes if I wrote a prescription for that much hydrocodone. Before I can even write a prescription for a patient I have to go to a government website and run a background search on said patient to make sure they aren't getting narcotics or benzodiazepines from anyone else. If I fail to run the search before the patient tries to fill the prescription, I have committed a crime. I get emails about every single prescription I write for scheduled substances along with a monthly report. I am given a grade on my prescribing compared to other prescribers. So those who suffer from addiction are not getting opioids or benzos from dentists in my state. Most states have a similar program. So now patients that need pain meds often can't get them or in a sufficient quantity. Recently my father-in-law passed away from mesothelioma. He was given 30 Tylenol #3. He was in absolute agony , but couldn't get the medicine he needed until he entered hospice. The war on drugs was never about drugs was never about drugs! The war on drugs is about controlling people of color and anti-war liberals as described by John Ehrlichman . My dad is a pharmacist, and as I said earlier, I am a dentist. I've been around drugs my whole life. The war on drugs has been an absolute failure, cost trillions of dollars and given the US the highest number of incarcerated per capital in the entire world. Sorry, but your off hand comment has absolutely infuriated me. Do a little research before you say such ridiculous things in the future.

[@johnrinke8080]

Bullcrap you can't get anything unless you are rich.

[@adamcohan2947]

I love being from Oregon. I remember when we had free health care

[@chadlimestall9201]

ooh, I thought you meant (in a video game)...

[@Poppin-Seeds]

They tried that in BC Canada this year they even ordered in 3 kg heroine

[@onegreatstarfish]

great coverage

[@LemonZaller]

Some people have been managing their drug use very well, not everyone was a raging drug addict, some work normal jobs and function as a part of society and you would never even know it.

[@foffndy666]

Cool cool. Those arent the ones we are disgusted by. Those arent the the ones ruining the city.

[@diannehebert481]

This has been a nightmare. Not small amounts it was large amounts. I am tired of working w some functioning addicts that can't do their job. The max line (blue line) often smells like drugs, I have to smell someone's addiction that's insane!!!!!!

[@hoboroadie4623]

What is it that you said? Were you answering something in the screenplay? Or something else that the voices were saying to you?

[@meglukes]

I was going to ask how Portugal managed to afford their program, and then I remembered they are one of the infamous 4 European countries that couldn’t manage their debt. Italy, Greece, and Spain were the others IIRC

[@cjpetronella5371]

Decriminalization just makes it easier to take illegal unregulated drugs which just exacerbates the problem with the street drug market. Full legalization and regulation is the only way to make an experience the safest it can be while also controlling the market. Regulating a portion of all profits to go the to rehabilitation and treatment sector would make it a self contained system where the size of its users dictates the amount of rehabilitation and treatment available. And as usual, the common punishment for any disorderly conduct while under the influence takes care of the spill over into the rest of society

[@ericjohnson5617]

I'm pretty sure that's the Canada model. 300% OD deaths in the surrounding area. None in facilities. I'm accepting of this only flipping the dead body supply problem...

[@adriannamatos865]

What are you smoking? As a recovering addict, legalization of these drugs would be a death sentence for thousands like myself.

[@ericjohnson5617]

@@adriannamatos865 nonono... we got Narcan on hand... fry away, zero deaths...

[@cjpetronella5371]

@@adriannamatos865 What ever I want and that's how it should be. For a diabetic, eating sugar is a death sentence, should sugar be illegal because there are diabetics? Or should you just learn how to control yourself better since all your problems are your own fault? Just because there's an edge doesn't mean you have to jump off it.

[@DemonEvidence]

YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT! People resort to bootleg fentanyl because they can't buy safer drugs! That's one of the main reasons they relegalized alcohol. I guess it would also quit pissin people off if they quit doing it on people's front porches or w/e. I'm for freedom, as long as it doesn't hinder others' basic human rights. There's also a hidden thing severely exaserbating destructive behavior and all our problems that not many people know about, yet, believe it or not. I can't type it out, anymore, here, but I have the info and e-v-i d ence if you come find it.

[@JackBQuick79]

Isn't this a vice journalist? Or am i that high rn?

[@sophiashekinah9872]

I'm just 2 minutes into this, but it sounds like Oregon wanted to decriminalize drugs without implementing the social reintegration aspect that made Portugal's program so successful. Of course it's not going to work if you don't do it right!

[@jerryrobertkoren]

A growing presence of fentanyol...lol you mean a border policy effected this

[@JoeSmith-to6td]

Exactly

[@y_i_fly6256]

Problem is that employers with both OSHA requirements and substance abuse policies requiring drug testing end up firing the user. One bad choice is all it takes and your world gets turned upside down. With no income the user has to find other ways to support their habit to even the unthinkable like stealing. Pray for the people who decided to seek recovery, lift up without handing out.

[@tatertotsmomma8246]

I was born and raised in Oregon. I know reside in Washington. Oregon has become soooo scary that having a home there is not ever going to happen, this saddens me greatly but I want to stay alive...

[@Catillia85]

weird... I too lived in Oregon most of my life and ****NOW**** live in Washington. Sounds like you've been drinking the delulu juice and forgot that addicts ARE PEOPLE TOO. They don't need people like you to judge them, they're already struggling. I think people like you make a place more unlivable than they do, at least they can be helped. Seriously what are you so scared of?

[@Moondog1109]

Public use needs to be illegal--similar to alcohol--time place and manner. Possession alone shouldn't be criminal. This was an inadequate implementation of drug policy and completely predictable. Sabotage?

[@fauxman1]

Likely

[@KurtKruger-qy1rn]

It’s crazy how if you have good insurance, like I do from my employer, then these places roll out red carpet, I’ve always gotten in right away, literally same day.

[@galegrazutis964]

What great work one hundred Million could have done instead of trying to save these worthless . Helping the working poor with medicaide helping working people who are truly deerving of government dervices. Nursing homes, war veterans. But l guess junkies who contribute nothing only take and commit crime to fund their habbit are the chosen ones😮

[@23joanlee]

only users lose drugs.

[@boggo7831]

There's a vast difference in Portugal.

[@jerryrobertkoren]

Follow the money

[@maxmotors9497]

Glad to see Gianna unhitched herself from vice news.

[@12vshady]

Legalized illicit narcotics is not easily managed. But hey for one part what if persons needing certain medications could actually get them from a doctor. I mean we have seen now that prescriptions from docs is a lesser evil than what is going on now.

[@MichaelVance-el5mz]

It is a medical and a moral issue!!!! It's equality remember !!???EQUAL RIGHTS EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY OTHERWISE DONT WASTE PEOPLES TIME.. THANKS

[@user-py6tl9fe6j]

We in the eastern part of the state didn't vote for it to begin with.

[@ericjohnson5617]

Funny thing in WA state. Poor farmers in E WA paying climate commitment taxes to fund a train on a floating bridge... I want a construction worker zooming that train to show off a Washington apple with the price tag

[@23joanlee]

so stay home.

[@Themanisred]

​@23joanlee You are the problem darling. That's why the people in the eastern part of the state would like to abdicate From the nuts that live in the west.

[@brooklynnchick]

Eastern Oregon is home to racists and hateful conservatives masquerading as “Christians”. Help will never come from this quarter.

[@nelliegee418]

Some of "we" in the western part of the state didn't vote for this to begin with either.

[@jeffransom2977]

Yhea because who pays for the drugs? The community does with stolen merchandise and cars. The amount of crime that comes from open Drug abuse is not acceptable. If the government subsidizes the drugs then it could work.

[@Scorch1028]

You want the government to subsidize drugs that lead to fatal overdoses? Wow!

[@MrXavi67]

Government needs to take the market away from the cartels by selling it cheap. All related crimes will also go away

[@The_Black_Knight]

Decriminalization was never about advancing progressism through personal freedom. It was a means to ensure subjugation through weakened minds and reliance of government control. The Democrat procedure.

[@winstonslone2797]

I feel bad for the Indian guy. Any type of addiction is considered shameful on the family and many addicts from his culture are often disowned by their family. I was in detox with an Arab guy and we talked the whole 2 weeks we were there. This was NYC and he used to run a bodega with his family. He had a car and apartment and made good money. As soon as his family found out about his problem he was disowned and became homeless. He is continuing to drink himself to death because he is so hurt by the rejection of his family. I hope his family isn't as traditional and is supportive and there for him.

[@future_me_6067]

Let us not try to prevent overdoses, let's do it to clean up the streets and alleyways. Theft is a side-effect of addiction. Narcan is just an enabler.

[@philosopher2king]

Narcan saves lives. If you are implying that Narcan is an enabler because it doesn't let folks die, then I pray you or your loved ones don't fall prey to addiction. That doesn't mean that Oregon's approach is right, but there has to be a happy medium between the nonsense of permitting drug use and the nonsense of not caring what happens to these folks.

[@23joanlee]

you are the sort of cold fish my mom would like. you could be so miserable together.

[@23joanlee]

addiction is a side affect, a direct result, of societies ills, of which america has legion. like arrogant semisociopaths who only have guts online and brains nowhere.

[@Scorch1028]

@@philosopher2king Who's responsibility is it to carry Narcan?

[@philosopher2king]

@@Scorch1028 What kind of question is that? No one has the duty to carry NARCAN.

[@brooklynnchick]

Compassion for the trauma of addiction, love for the human being, and consequences for the behaviors.

[@winstonslone2797]

That dude at the methadone van may not be on smack anymore but he is just as high and dependent on the methadone. I'm all for harm reduction but call it what it is. Its government rationed intoxication. Many methadone clients pop a handful of benzos before dosing and end up in the same boat as the guy OD on smack.

[@kevin-ts8te]

methadone doesn't get you high

[@nheppner85]

Once Biden got in office things really went to sh%t politics aside.

[@fauxman1]

You know, oddly enough I hear and read this sentiment regularly, every year. More every 4th year. Without deviation. Little change for improvements while the unproductive, easy and convenient blaming ensures not much changes here, or there..

[@JoeSmith-to6td]

It's true!

[@greywolf2809]

Cartels moved in

[@loreleiruiz7760]

😂

[@kellyward7090]

A failure

[@jobella2656]

Going back to the same problem isn't a solution, as two wrongs don't make a right.

[@kimberlyfellows3139]

Oregon should've never decriminalized hard drugs! All that money spent should've went to building more rehab places and more jail space with treatment available. Recriminalization is the way to go. We love our beautiful state and want our safe place back!

[@jazzmystic23]

The general idea of decriminalization was valid, but the execution was pathetic. I live in Beaverton, a suburb of Portland, and I avoid downtown like the plague! When I moved here in 2015, it was completely different. Downtown was worth going to for hanging out, shopping etc. Since the pandemic, then George Floyd riots, it’s become one big crime infested homeless camp. Oregon is a beautiful place. Portland is a dumpster fire!

[@NOLA_playmaker]

I hate liberal cities 😂

[@marcusm8009]

Its already criminalized again. I don't believe people should be locked up and fined for it. Adiction is still not fully understood. Isolation and blame does not help the situation.

[@420champion4]

I voted for this but the state didn't do their part and create facilities to help addicts.

[@35Colorado]

You actually admitting to something so bad is shocking in a good way. Would you vote to reverse it and return to rational drug laws like before?

[@23joanlee]

@@35Colorado no

[@35Colorado]

@@23joanlee didn’t actually ask you, but thanks for your input anyway I guess.

[@galegrazutis964]

​@@35Colorado😅😅😅

[@galegrazutis964]

How could you possibly have voted for something so incredibly insane!!

[@DarkHappyThoughts]

Damage is done. I HATE IT HERE NOW! It's dangerous and gross and my taxes pay for it all. I didn't vote for it.

[@JoeSmith-to6td]

I moved out of downtown in 2019 best decision ever! Moved north of Vancouver it's beautiful here!

[@tonyjones6904]

The men's VOA on MLK is the best drug treatment in the state for men I went there 6 years ago and I've been clean ever since I ended up getting a CDL driver's license and have been driving truck real truck Kenworth with a 53-foot trailer green and silver is the way to go for anybody that's reading this and it can be done because I use drugs for 40 years I'm a nine-time loser spent 27 years in Oregon institutions some people might even recognize my name if they're old and still alive seriously get clean Life's a lot better

[@allenshadle8530]

They should go to jail!

[@firstlast8258]

You first

[@dieselboy610]

Jail for what Stoopid?

[@leeelliott4240]

The idea sounds compassionate, very liberal/progressive and it really does sound like the right thing to do but as we can see our society has other issues and letting drug use persist with no consequences only degrades cities, crime will always increase, property crime, burgulary and property damage will increase and just too many people with no aim or goal. We have to have strict laws and the police everywhere need more surviellance, more cameras in public space, highways, city streets, etc.

[@robertapadgett]

That can't be used to turn something into a better tomorrow

[@Anti-MAP]

Antifa.

[@oherroprease207]

I’ve lived in Oregon for 3 years and not once was offered any coke when at bars or concerts. So id definitely say the decriminalization wasn’t successful.

[@atlas5687]

I live in Oregon and I live in the area that people are concerned about and I can say this.. they didn't give the measure an opportunity and of course things always get worse before they get better I do feel it was a missed opportunity. Change does not happen overnight but we were going in the right direction at one point decriminalizing it and instead of thinking about the long-term benefits,.was someone getting high in their vicinity where they can see which happens every day anyhow with or without the policy

[@TenFold2017]

More addicts died and the DEA couldn’t prosecute drug dealers

[@oldhick9047]

Are you kidding with that question ? What happened was just what one would expect to happen. Sometimes I am ashamed to say I am from Oregon. But then, I could be from California.

[@yesmhm69]

This is as GOOD as it's going to get and it's a FAILURE!!

[@DSTREETMEDIA]

FAILED EXPERIMENT*

[@23joanlee]

your expertise is less than valuable.

[@mortona42yt]

Portland hit peak sketchiness during covid, but it's pretty much back to normal now.

[@thealphatheomega1188]

Back to normal? 🙄 Hahahahaha! That was a really funny joke... Please tell us another one!

[@23joanlee]

@@thealphatheomega1188 you know nothing. alphaomega? your god is in a frat?

[@Scorch1028]

Stump City has become _Dump City_ . 😆

[@vedacarmony5754]

Just checking, do you all live in Portland. Like I do. Or just talking big because you are online?

[@nwAmerican]

It wasn't a short time. They didn't do anything until they started losing money. And by "they" I am talking about the local government. It's such a shame to live through, in the city I grew up in and absolutely love. And I still love this city.

[@fauxman1]

So deceive the public and secure large sums of funding, delay and withhold support, wait for the predictable failed outcome, back pedal with gained profits and scapegoat with the failed policy?

[@p.ipebomb]

As a former Democrat, one thing that's so frustrating is when Democrats REFUSE to admit they messed up 🫤 I'm happy to see there are people who are able to admit they messed up

[@Catillia85]

And you think Republicans have a better record on that?? Have you had a recent head injury? I'll pray for you.

[@p.ipebomb]

@@Catillia85 Yes, but the point is, I haven't seen the country messed up this bad in my lifetime. I keep hearing that Joe is cleaning up Donald's mess but that feels like an excuse 😕

[@fauxman1]

Perhaps the poor execution, poorly supported programs, and unsuccessful end result wasn't a "mess up". Especially if it intially introduced large sums of new funding because changing policy afterwards doesn't negate that funding. Now back-pedal back into the status quo, that's lucrative and profitable as is. Because ultimately, who cares about alternatives that don't line pockets and generate greater revenue? The State sure doesn't but must pretend otherwise. Oregon policymakers made a great show. But as usual, here or there, nothing really changed concerning public health and/or general public support. But I'm certain plenty of money transacted as a result

[@Catillia85]

@@fauxman1 It would be more of a surprise to me if that WASN'T what happened.