The Unintended Consequences of Measure 110: A Perspective from Oregon Law Enforcement

Introduction

In the realm of drug legislation, Oregon has been leading the way to legalization, particularly with the passage of Measure 110 (M110). This legislation decriminalized small amounts of all drugs, shifting the focus from criminal punishment to public health. However, a recent interim report titled "Impacts of Successive Drug Legislation Shifts: Qualitative Observations from Oregon Law Enforcement" reveals some unintended consequences of this shift, as perceived by law enforcement officers. This blog post aims to shed light on these concerns, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to drug policy.

The Context of Measure 110

Measure 110, passed in 2020, was designed to reduce the criminalization of drug use and instead treat it as a public health issue. However, the report, authored by Kelsey S. Henderson, Christopher M. Campbell, and Brian Renauer, underscores that it's still too early to attribute any effects directly to M110. The authors caution that the qualitative data presented in the report is only one component of a larger project, and future reports will focus on quantitative analyses to triangulate the multiple impacts of Oregon drug policies, including M110.

Law Enforcement Perspectives on Measure 110

The report includes several interviews with law enforcement officers, revealing some of their concerns about the implementation and impacts of Measure 110.

Lack of Consequences for Non-Compliance

One of the primary concerns raised by law enforcement officers is the perceived lack of consequences for individuals who do not comply with the stipulations of M110. Officers noted that there are minimal repercussions for not paying citations or not seeking assessment for substance use disorders.

An officer from a rural police department stated, "I think as it stands now, it’s a $100 citation and there’s absolutely no consequence to not paying. I mean, there’s not even a license suspension or anything else that comes with other citations. So, there’s just zero consequence to not paying that fine or not calling for the assessment."

Ineffectiveness of Citations

Another concern raised by officers is the perceived ineffectiveness of issuing citations for possession of controlled substances (PCS). Officers reported that the process of issuing a citation, confiscating the drugs, and completing the necessary paperwork often feels like an inefficient use of their time, especially given the lack of follow-up or recourse.

An officer from an urban police department explained, "It’s more work for us to do the search, legalize the search, find the drugs, give them a $100 ticket, bring the drugs back to the station, enter them into evidence, and then write a report. For a $100 ticket. When I can stop a person for [driving while using a] cell phone…I’m going to stop them, I’m going to issue them a citation for $265. I’m going to complete my narrative, which takes me about 3 minutes, and I’m done with the contact. See the problem there?"

Analysis

M110 is an unmitigated disaster, just like California and Washington’s attempts to legalize drugs. It has lead to more homelessness and more drug addiction. For years, I heard pro drug advocates say legalization will decrease drug use and clean the streets. How’s that working for us so far?