Friend, this month is the second anniversary of our victory making Oregon the first U.S. state to decriminalize drugs and invest in health alternatives. Since voters approved Measure 110 in November of 2020, we’ve helped implement and monitor the law.

Building a better world takes time. But Oregon is already proving what is possible when we offer people support instead of punishment. I’m happy to share great success so far:

Drug possession arrests have dropped by the thousands.
$302 million in funds have expanded services tailored to fit people’s needs such as:
- Low-barrier substance use disorder treatment that is evidence-based, trauma informed, culturally responsive and patient-centered.
- Peer support and recovery services designed to help achieve and maintain recovery.
- Housing and employment support for people who use drugs.
- Overdose prevention with naloxone access, drug education, and outreach.
Tens of thousands of people have accessed services for the help they deserve.

Support for decriminalization remains strong among Oregonians. Despite opponent’s attempts to spread lies this election cycle, last week voters stood against the fear tactics. They again showed they want a health approach to drugs by electing a governor who is committed to continued implementation of the law.

Our progress goes beyond Oregon. We’ve advanced efforts to decriminalize drugs in Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Washington. We aided allied groups to do the same in more than a dozen other states. And we are leading similar campaigns in Washington, D.C., and nationwide with the Drug Policy Reform Act in Congress.

Drug criminalization is ruining lives. It is time to treat drug use as a health issue. Help us put people first with a new approach. Tell Congress to decriminalize drugs and invest in our communities.

Sincerely,

Lindsay LaSalle
Managing Director, Policy
Drug Policy Alliance

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