Re-criminalisation of drug use in Oregon, United States

Drug use is now re-criminalised in Oregon – what are the lessons learnt for drug reformers? We interviewed Theshia Naido, Legal Director at the Drug Policy Alliance.In 2020, voters in the state of Oregon approved Measure 110, effectively decriminalising the use of illicit drugs and expanding social and health services by redirecting cannabis tax revenue and law enforcement savings. The Measure did not only significantly reduce criminal spendings but it resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of clients accessing services. However, after a steep increase in overdose deaths and homelessness-related suffering on the streets, although not caused by decriminalisation itself, a campaign was launched by opponents of drug policy reform, which scapegoated Measure 110 for all the problems. Drug use was re-criminalised in 2024 and Oregon became an exemplary tale of the “failure” of decriminalisation in the Conservative press. In this interview, we address common misunderstandings and misinformation about decriminalisation.