Hopes remain for Oregon's drug decriminalization program
Steve Allen, behavioral health director of the Oregon Health Authority, acknowledged the rocky start, even as he announced a “true milestone” has been reached.
Stay updated with breaking news from Tera Hurst. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Steve Allen, behavioral health director of the Oregon Health Authority, acknowledged the rocky start, even as he announced a “true milestone” has been reached.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — ASHAFER EDITED. TO MOVE SUNDAY, 9/25. AP Photos RPOR701-703 on hold in NY. Two years after Oregon residents voted to decriminalize hard drugs…
When voters passed the state's pioneering Drug Addiction Treatment andRecovery Act in 2020, the emphasis was on treatment as much as on decriminalizing possession of personal-use amounts of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs. But progress has been slow and Oregon still has among the highest addiction rates in the country yet over half of addiction treatment programs in the state don't have enough staffing and funding to help those who want help
Since Oregon residents voted in 2020 to decriminalize hard drugs and dedicate millions of dollars to treatment, few people have requested the services.
State still has one of highest addiction rates in country