Footnotes

LISTEN: How Oregon's New Drug Decriminalization Law Treats Addiction as a Mental Health Issue

We talk with Ron Williams, outreach director at the Health Justice Recovery Alliance, about the new law that went into effect February 1. (No, it doesn't legalize everything.)

By Gabriel Granillo February 5, 2021

In November 2020, Oregonians voted to approve all of the state’s four ballot measures, including campaign contribution limits, an increase in cigarette tax, and a statewide psilocybin mushroom therapy program. But perhaps the most controversial and progressive was Measure 110, the Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative, which decriminalized the personal possession of small amounts of schedule 1 through 5 substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines. And on February 1, the new law, called the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, went into effect.

To help break down this act, Portland Monthly spoke with Ron Williams, outreach director at the Health Justice Recovery Alliance, the statewide advocacy coalition tasked with ensuring the new law is implemented. 

 

Guest 


About Footnotes

Every Friday we break down our most important stories with the writers, contributors, and editors who crafted them. Hosted by Portland Monthly digital editor Gabriel Granillo, Footnotes provides clarity on complex stories with intimate and informative interviews.

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