Oregon is turning the corner on drug treatment it seems thanks to the new law. In a preliminary report, The Oregon Health Authority found that more than 60,000 Oregonians with drug addictions were helped through Measure 110. Many were concerned about the passage of the measure. It decriminalized user amounts of hard drugs. What it also did was redirect tax dollars from marijuana sales to pay for addiction recovery center and grants.
The report that details a look at the measure showed that in the first three months, Measure 110 providers helped more than 18,000 people. In addition, the Access to Care grants helped another 42,000 people who received treatment and temporary housing. The report stated that $3 million went toward hiring employees. Overall, $265 million was given to 42 recovery groups and 11 tribal partners, reaching every county in the state.
Oregon Measure 110, also known as, The Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, made Oregon the first state in the country to decriminalize hard drugs. Voters in Oregon approved ballot measure, Measure 110, which decriminalizes the “personal noncommercial possession of a controlled substance.” Oregon’s Measure 110 went into effect on February 1, 2021.
With the measure, possession of illicit drugs in Oregon may result in a maximum fine of $100 and the offender may face possible drug addiction treatment or recovery programs funded by the state. The law does not support drug dealers and street manufacturers of illicit drugs. Measure 110 redistributes marijuana revenue above $11.25 million per quarter from existing recipients to the Drug Addiction Treatment and Decriminalization Fund, reducing revenue to the State School Fund, the State Police, mental health programs, and local governments.
Measure 110 funding reached tens of thousands of Oregonians during the earliest phases of implementation. Oregon saw a three-fold increase in opioid overdose deaths in a recent two-year span. The controversial law Measure 110 was put in place to help people access recovery services. A report was just released on how the program has been going.
