Oregonians for Safety and Recovery

The 2024 legislative session may be over for #orleg, but the nightmare is just beginning for Oregonians. People struggling with addiction, including a disproportionate number of Black and brown, low-income, and rural Oregonians, will soon end up in jail. #orpol #NOtoHB4002

"Though defendants with only a possession charge are eligible for a conditional discharge under HB 4002, state analysts aren’t counting on most of them being offered the option." Here's one reason why state analysts are pessimistic: ⤵️ #orleg #orpol #NOtoHB4002

In passing HB 4002, #orleg chose jail beds over treatment services despite widely publicized reports that Oregon lacks thousands of mental health and drug treatment bed – and the well-documented and disproportionate harms of criminalizing addiction. #orpol kgw.com/article/news/h…

HB 4002 prioritizes punishment, not treatment: – 1,333 people will be convicted of drug possession – 533 could go to jail every year – "lawmakers’ actions are likely to...exacerbate some racial disparities in the criminal justice system" #orpol #orleg 🧵⤵️ opb.org/article/2024/0…

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rep. Mark Gamba, Rep. Travis Nelson, Rep. Farrah Chaichi, and Rep. Khanh Pham for their opposition to House Bill 4002. Thank you for speaking about the harmful consequences of House Bill 4002 on low-income and BIPOC communities. #orpol #orleg

"Oregon certainly has a problem, but there’s no evidence that problem is Measure 110. “The data is very clear that the biggest impact on overdose has been the entry of fentanyl into drug markets,” Kral says. “That swamps everything else, Measure 110 included.”" #orpol #orleg

"...[D]rug overdose deaths in Washington increased faster than they did in Oregon (38.27% v. 32.85%) and...the absolute number of overdose deaths in WA (3,425) was more than double the number of overdose deaths in OR (1,650), far greater than the difference in populations. #orleg

Experts warned Oregon lawmakers against criminalizing addiction. #orleg passed HB 4002 anyways. It's going to be remembered for what it is: a huge mistake. Washington's "cautionary example" previews the devastating consequences to come from HB 4002. #orpol wweek.com/news/2024/03/0…

OPINION | Drug decriminalization is being unfairly used as a scapegoat for politicians’ failures. trib.al/KcFkFvJ

“Decision makers have dropped the ball on prioritizing, understanding, and addressing the overlapping crises of homelessness, poverty, and addiction. And they dropped the ball on Measure 110 implementation. Now they need to distract voters from the chaos they have caused.” #orleg

“They are delusional if they think going back to the formula that caused countless avoidable overdose deaths and filled our prisons is going to work now when it has never worked before.” #orleg #orpol #NOtoHB4002

At a time when Oregonians are demanding more treatment services and housing, HB 4002 provides jail beds. That's not a solution. That's criminalization. Thank you, Sen. @Manning_SOS for saying #NOtoHB4002 and supporting real solutions to the addiction crisis. #orpol #orleg

Countless Oregonians raised their voices against making addiction a crime, against opening the door to increased racial disparities in the criminal system, and against HB 4002. @SenProzanski listened, standing with our communities and standing up for our values. #orpol #orleg

Thank you, @SenatorJama, for saying #NOtoHB4002 and warning #orleg of the harmful consequences House Bill 4002 will have in our communities. We share your commitment to working toward real solutions that address the addiction and housing crisis in our state. #orpol #orleg

Sen. Lew Frederick is right: HB 4002 has too many flaws. It represents a return to the failed decades-long war on drugs. It will not solve Oregon's addiction crisis. And it treats a public health crisis as a criminal issue. Thank you, @Lrfred for saying #NOtoHB4002 #orpol #orleg

"Mr. President, we cannot lock people up for self-harm...The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting a different outcome. That’s what this bill [HB 4002] does." – Senator James Manning Jr. @Manning_SOS #NOtoHB4002 #orpol #orleg

HB 4002 will increase racial disparities in our state and leave Oregon communities without adequate help and support while fentanyl continues to harm our loved ones. Thank you Senator @michaeldembrow for saying #NOtoHB4002. #orpol #orleg

"And Fourth: House Bill 4002 A will overwhelm our already overwhelmed court systems. There are not enough public defenders to handle current caseloads let alone the thousands more that will be created by this bill." @SenatorJama #NOtoHB4002 #orpol #orleg

"...Without mandatory deflection programs, HB 4002 A will exacerbate existing inequities in the criminal justice system. Third, it fails to address the root cause of addiction by putting people who need health care into jails... #NOtoHB4002 #orpol #orleg

Oregon @SenatorJama shares his top four reasons for opposing HB 4002. #NOtoHB4002 #orpol #orleg "First, it brings us back to the failed decades-long war on drugs. Second, This will disproportionately harm communities of color and low income Oregonians...