On Wednesday, November 4, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the possession of hard drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine — by a vote of 59% to 41%.
According to the authorities, the Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation Act will abandon «punitive» policies towards addicted citizens in favor of a «humane and cost-effective health strategy.»
“Health services are more likely to help addicted people heal than criminal punishment. — the text of the draft law says — [The new] approach involves assessing the health status and clarifying the needs of drug addicts in order to provide them with appropriate medical services. «
Treatment, in turn, — explain the authors of the law — will be funded from tax revenues from marijuana, which in the state amount to more than $ 100 million a year.
Only a small number of drugs are being decriminalized: for example, less than 1 gram of heroin or MDMA; 2 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine; 12 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; 40 doses of LSD, oxycodone, or methadone.
The criminal penalty for possession of substances in these quantities will be replaced with a fine of up to $ 100, which can be avoided if the addict agrees to undergo an assessment at a rehabilitation center.
Drug-related offenses — such as making, selling or driving while under the influence of drugs — remain criminal offenses.
