OREGON became the first state in the nation to decriminalize small amounts of heroin and others street drugs on Tuesday.
Voters overwhelmingly supported Measure 110, with partial returns showing the winning margin being 62.5 percent to 37.5 percent, according to Oregon Live.
Voters in Oregon became the first state in the nation to decriminalize small amounts of heroin and others street drugs on Tuesday[/caption]
The move is a major step in the way America views its war on drugs.
The New York-based Drug Policy Alliance – a criminal justice reform group that backed Oregon’s successful marijuana legalization effort in 2014 – was strongly behind the movement.
Peter Zuckerman, campaign manager for Measure 110, told reporters: “Today is a huge day of celebration but the work is not over and we have a lot more work to do to win a better system for everybody.”
Those supporting the measure hope that decriminalization would combat issues with the country’s jails being filled with non-violent offenders, particularly Black people.
Supporters argued that those incarcerated would be better receiving treatment.
The Drug Policy Alliance spent more than $4 million on the decriminalization campaign – compared to the just $95,000 that was raised by opponents to the measure.
More to follow.
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