Impacts of Drug Decriminalization on Law Enforcement and People Who Use Drugs in Oregon

• In Event: Policy Panel: Measure 110 Research Findings: Assessing the Impacts of Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Law

Abstract

Under Oregon’s Measure 110 (M110), drug decriminalization was enacted in February 2021. To understand perceived and real impacts of drug decriminalization, our team collected quantitative data from people who use drugs (PWUD) (N=468) in eight counties between March–November 2023 and qualitative data from criminal legal system representatives in four counties (N=34) including law enforcement in August 2022. Law enforcement interviewees perceived M110 had resulted in an erosion of their authority and were frustrated that they could not use drug possession as a tool for building cases, establishing probable cause, and imposing social order. The survey of PWUD showed only a minority knew that drugs had been decriminalized. The majority of PWUD (73%) had past year criminal legal involvement, including law enforcement stops and searches, arrests, incarceration, and community supervision. Police were reported to be commonly seizing drugs during these searches. PWUD who were stopped by law enforcement were significantly more likely to be homeless or unstably housed and on community supervision. Although law enforcement believed that M110 hindered their ability to do their work, the surveyed PWUD were substantially involved in criminal legal system and continued to be heavily policed.

Authors

• Hope Smiley McDonald, RTI International

• Lynn Wenger, RTI International

• Danielle Good, Comagine Health

• Erica Browne, RTI International

• Gillian Leichtling, Comagine Health

• Barrot Lambdin, RTI International

• Alex Kral, RTI International