{"id":16644,"date":"2021-02-01T17:54:16","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T17:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiofree.org\/?p=157189"},"modified":"2021-02-01T17:54:16","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T17:54:16","slug":"showing-better-more-just-world-is-possible-oregon-decriminalizes-low-level-possession-of-all-drugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/02\/01\/showing-better-more-just-world-is-possible-oregon-decriminalizes-low-level-possession-of-all-drugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Showing ‘Better, More Just World Is Possible,’ Oregon Decriminalizes Low-Level Possession of All Drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In what justice advocates celebrated as a major shift away from the devastating and failed policies of the nation’s so-called “war on drugs,” Oregon on Monday officially became the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of all drugs with a new policy that also aims to boost access various related services.<\/p>\n

“For the first time in at least half a century, one place in the United States\u2014Oregon\u2014will show us that we can give people help without punishing them.”
\u2014Kassandra Frederique, Drug Policy Alliance<\/p>\n

Oregon voters passed<\/a> Measure 110, also called the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act<\/a>, by a 17% margin<\/a> in November. The ballot initiative was spearheaded by Drug Policy Action\u2014the advocacy arm of Drug Policy Alliance\u2014in partnership with Oregon groups and supported by over 100 local, state, and national organizations.<\/p>\n

“Today, the first domino of our cruel and inhumane war on drugs has fallen\u2014setting off what we expect to be a cascade of other efforts centering health over criminalization,” said Drug Policy Alliance executive director Kassandra Frederique in a statement Monday. “For the first time in at least half a century, one place in the United States\u2014Oregon\u2014will show us that we can give people help without punishing them.”<\/p>\n

“This law is meant to protect people against persecution, harassment, and criminalization at the hands of the state for using drugs and instead [give] access to the supports they need,” Frederique explained. “Over the last year, we have been painfully reminded of the harms that come from drug war policing and the absence of necessary health services and other support systems in our communities. Today, Oregon shows us a better, more just world is possible.”<\/p>\n

As VICE<\/em> senior editor Manisha Krishnan tweeted, it is a “historic day for drug reform,” noting that the measure is expected to reduce racial disparities in drug arrests.<\/p>\n

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historic day for drug reform. personal possession of all drugs is now decriminalized in Oregon, a measure that’s expected to reduce the racial disparity in low-level drug arrests by 95 percent: https:\/\/t.co\/xwC2vb8Vc5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 (@ManishaKrishnan) February 1, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Anyone found in possession of one to three grams of heroin, one to four grams of MDMA, two to eight grams of methamphetamine, or two to eight grams of cocaine “will be charged with simple possession, a misdemeanor offense, rather than a felony,” Krishnan reported<\/a>. The new lower-level possession limits are:<\/p>\n