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   From: stupid-shits@splcenter.org   
      
   In February 2021, politicians and activists celebrated Oregon's   
   implementation of Measure 110, the nation's first law to decriminalize   
   drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and meth. It's not a surprise what   
   happened next: a dramatic increase in overdoses.   
      
   Fast forward to last week: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor   
   Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency in Portland due to sharp rises   
   in overdose deaths, public drug use, and crime. Though the state of   
   emergency is a step in the right direction, more must be done to undo the   
   harm caused by Measure 110 and help more Oregonians live safe and healthy   
   lives.   
      
   Now that Democratic and Republican state legislators have introduced bills   
   to increase penalties for the possession of drugs—effectively reversing   
   decriminalization and conceding it has failed—it is a good time to look   
   back at what led to this state of emergency.   
      
   Overdose deaths in Oregon have spiraled out of control. Between 2020 and   
   2022, overdose deaths increased by 75 percent, compared to only 18 percent   
   nationally. In Oregon, opioid-involved overdoses increased by 101 percent,   
   accounting for more than 70 percent of overdose deaths in 2022. Likewise,   
   meth-involved overdoses increased by 112 percent, accounting for 55   
   percent of overdose deaths in 2022.   
      
   Though the state of emergency cited "widespread fentanyl use"   
   specifically, it is worth noting that more than 40 percent of overdose   
   deaths in Oregon in 2022 involved the co-use of an opioid and a stimulant,   
   either meth or cocaine. The growth of polysubstance use is alarming,   
   because Narcan cannot reverse overdoses that are induced by non-opioid   
   substances.   
      
   Violent crime also increased by 17 percent in Oregon since Measure 110   
   passed, despite decreasing nationally. Measure 110 has made communities   
   less safe, as those with an untreated substance use disorder often resort   
   to burglary and other crimes to fund their addiction.   
      
   Alongside the rise in overdose deaths and crime has come a rise in public   
   drug use. Last month, the Associated Press reported that there is "rampant   
   public drug use" in the state. I saw it firsthand when I visited Portland   
   last July. This trend shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. When our laws   
   send a message that drugs are not of public concern, what did we think   
   would happen?   
      
   Homeless encampments and people injecting drugs like fentanyl are all too   
   common on the streets of Portland. It explains why public opinion has   
   soured so quickly on Measure 110. A poll late last summer found that   
   nearly two-thirds of Oregonians––including 79 percent of Hispanics and 74   
   percent of Black Oregonians––want to repeal parts of Measure 110 and bring   
   back penalties. A majority wants to repeal Measure 110 completely.   
      
   Rather than treating addiction and helping vulnerable individuals achieve   
   recovery, Measure 110 brought the drug crisis even more clearly into the   
   public's view and failed to achieve its stated goals. It has failed those   
   with addiction, as well as concerned bystanders who want a safe and clean   
   community.   
      
   Hence the state of emergency declaration. Beyond immediate harms like   
   overdose deaths, Governor Kotek's executive order cited "trauma to   
   downtown residents who wish to avoid fentanyl" in addition to "economic   
   and reputational harm to the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the   
   State of Oregon" as reasons for the declaration.   
      
   Given the fact that the state of emergency will last for only 90 days,   
   there is reason to doubt any significant progress will be made. If there   
   were a quick 90-day solution, officials would have already solved the   
   problem. Furthermore, the declaration only applies to "Portland City   
   Center"—a select few neighborhoods in Portland—even though 75 percent of   
   overdose deaths in Oregon in 2022 occurred in other counties.   
      
   The U.S. first declared a public health emergency for opioids in 2017, and   
   has renewed it to the present. The overdose epidemic has nevertheless   
   continued to worsen. But while Oregon's 90-day state of emergency is   
   unlikely to deliver any immediate solutions, it will generate additional   
   attention and put the state's needs into focus. It will hopefully set the   
   posture needed for the legislature to reverse Measure 110.   
      
   It should go without saying that if Measure 110 had delivered as promised,   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)