In response to people speaking in negation of Oregon’s new drug law, Measure 110, I keep seeing the argument in the responses “let me tell you about Portugal.”

Well actually, let me tell you about Portugal; a thread.

Portugal’s drug policy, “the drug strategy” has miles better rehabilitation efforts and measures taken to go in place of imprisonment, than Oregon.

Let’s go over Measure 110’s alternatives to prison quickly for a comparison;
-Possible fine of up to $100
-Rehabilitation offered

While “the drug strategy” in Portugal, goes further in depth & has followup prevention. The Portugal strategy is 111 pages, while measure 110 is a bill, and one page.

Portugal’s efforts include the offender be interviewed by a drug addiction dissuasion commission, made up of a lawyer, a psychiatrist, and a social worker, who then determine the adequate sanctions.

Disclaimer: I found most of this info from about 5 online sources, of course please let me know if any of it is outdated or incorrect, and I’ll make sure it is corrected

So, my opinion? Oregon has the right idea, but is executing it terribly. I believe rehabilitation is the best route, as opposed to imprisonment, of course! That is understood.
I’m glad Oregon wanted to step in this direction, but attempted to do so in a less than adequate way.

Portugal’s stats, I would say, mostly improved from their strategy. However this was also in the article:

So, all that being said, I do have a negative outlook on Oregon’s future. Oregon would likely benefit from implementing better strategies/ making a sort of addendum to this measure incorporating further rehabilitation efforts, such as a “check in” system that requires,

or at least offers, offenders to return to be screened for a continuous addiction. Possibly mandating treatment for some, as opposed to just offering it, or letting people go with a fine of < $100.

And that is all I have to say for now