Oregon's New Law: The Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act

In November 2020, Oregon made history by voting overwhelmingly in favor of Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act. The new law decriminalizes personal possession of small amounts of all drugs, while expanding access to addiction treatment and other health services. 

This new law comes at a critical time; our state’s lack of addiction recovery services is destroying lives and exacerbating many of our state’s most pressing problems, like houselessness. The pandemic is only making things worse; new data from the Oregon Health Authority show that drug overdose deaths in Oregon were up 70 percent during the spring of 2020 compared to that same time the previous year.

The Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act offers an innovative solution to help Oregonians and their families now, at a time when Oregon’s addiction crisis is growing at an alarming rate. 

 

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Oregon Health Justice Recovery Alliance

The Alliance is the statewide advocacy coalition working to ensure that Oregon's new law is implemented fully and without delay, centering the needs of communities most harmed by the War on Drugs -- Black, Latinx, Native and tribal communities. The coalition represents more than 75 community-based organizations across the state with deep knowledge and experience working to serve and strengthen local communities: medical associations, culturally-specific organizations, labor, harm reduction and recovery providers and advocates, people in recovery and more.

Learn More About the Alliance

Kayse Jama

Senator, District 24, Portland

Oregonians believe that our public safety system should be equitable and just for all communities. However, in Oregon and throughout the US, people of color, immigrants, and refugees face discrimination at every stage of the process, especially when it comes to drugs. That's wrong and reprehensible. Decriminalizing drug possession and expanding access to treatment will help reduce the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, and help all Oregonians who suffer from addiction. The Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act a key step toward achieving racial justice within our public safety system.

Richard Harris

Founder, Central City Concern; Retired Director, Mental Health and Addiction for the State of Oregon

Criminalizing personal drug use as part of the 50+ year war on drugs has been a profound failure that has ruined countless lives. It is time to change to a healthcare approach to solving addiction problems. We know providing the right services at the right time without barriers is essential to successful recovery from addictive drug use. Paying for the services as outlined in Oregon's new law will effectively provide treatment on demand to those struggling with drug addiction.

Kelsey Priest, PhD, MPh

Opioid treatment and policy researcher

As a public health researcher, and future addiction physician, I support the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act because punishment and prohibition are not evidence-informed or humane approaches for addiction treatment. People who use drugs and those with substance use disorders should instead have easy access to 21st century treatment and recovery interventions. Oregon ranks 50th in addiction treatment access; we can, and we must do a better job!

Janie Gullickson

Executive Director, Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon

I was addicted to drugs for 22 years and was in and out of jail, in and out of jail, again and again. Because of my criminal record and my addiction, I struggled to get housing and a job and to be treated with dignity and respect. If I had been able to get access to treatment and recovery sooner, it would have made a world of difference. But treatment only works when you are able to get it, which is why it should be available on demand, for everyone who needs it. Unfortunately, Oregon ranks nearly last in access to treatment. This initiative is our chance to change that. The Drug Addiction & Recovery Act establishes a humane, health-based approach to addressing drug addiction in Oregon.”
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