Oregon’s hard-drug decriminalization — will Minnesota avoid the same fate?
As Minnesota moves into the “legalization of adult-use marijuana” business, it never hurts to keep an eye out for what’s next on the progressive agenda.
Look no further than Oregon, where their foray into hard-drug decriminalization has been a disaster, according to this NY Times Opinion Columnist Bret Stephens. Read his piece here.
Here are some quick facts:
- In 2020 Oregon voters agreed to decriminalize “user” amounts of cocaine, meth, heroin, etc. They were promised a system whereby addicts would be issued a citation, and then call a hotline and sign up for treatment, which would be funded by taxes on “legal” marijuana.
- In 2021, 40 of the 4,000 people issued citations called the hotline, which ended up costing taxpayers the equivalent of $7,000/call.
- OD deaths increased from 280 to 745.
- Shootings increased from 413 to 1,309.
- Number of people living on the street rose by 29%.
Perhaps the most poignant message of how hard-drug legalization is faring in Oregon comes from a Portland addict.
What are the chances Minnesotans will avoid this mistake? Stay tuned.