Drugs are a serious problem in the United States. The drug crisis has been exacerbated by the levels of fentanyl and other illegal narcotics coming across the US southern border.
Unfortunately, America’s issues with drugs haven’t been made better by the current White House administration.
For one thing, this administration continues to do nothing as the southern border remains overrun with drugs and illegal entries.
Secondly, despite its claims to the country, the federal government has been funding packages containing crack pipes.
To make matters even worse, Oregon took it upon itself to actually make the consumption of hard drugs legal. Since this call, the deep blue state has seen a 700% surge in people overdosing, according to The Blaze.
A Deeper Dive Into Oregon’s Drug Problem
Oregon has long been plagued with drug issues. However, rather than approving reforms that could truly help people, the state’s voters passed a policy that no longer made hard drugs illegal.
Apparently, this measure was intended to remove barriers to drug addicts seeking out help; yet, the law has caused the opposite to happen. Instead, more folks in the state sunk further into their addictions, therefore prompting a 700% hike in overdoses.
Oregon voters passed a law that made hard drugs legal. Now overdoses are up 700%. How can that be? Everyone knows if you legalize drugs, usage will decrease, right? This kind of thinking is why we are where we are. Democrat “compassion” kills.#KeeptheRepublicSafe
— Keith R Swank (@Swank4America) June 5, 2022
Still, to this day in Oregon, drug possession no longer constitutes a misdemeanor or a felony. The worst that someone in Oregon may face for carrying drugs is a fee of $100.
Yet, even this can be waived if the person in question gets a health assessment after phoning in to a health hotline.
Republicans in Oregon and throughout the country have stated the legalization of hard drugs cost lives that could have otherwise been saved.
A Meaningful Solution Going Forward
If the state of Oregon is serious about helping people who struggle with drug addiction, simply legalizing these narcotics is not the answer.
Instead, the state can put resources into addiction recovery programs and other forms of rehabilitation. This is what will ultimately provide assistance to people who need to overcome dependence on drugs.
Measure 110, which decriminalized hard drugs in Oregon, has been a complete policy failure. We can and should be investing in addiction recovery programs, but I believe we can do that without enabling a culture of drug abuse to persist on our streets. #orpol pic.twitter.com/AvILsgVILe
— Christine Drazan (@ChristineDrazan) June 3, 2022
Even in light of Oregon’s current uptick in overdoses, the state has yet to put forth legislation that would prioritize actual help for people struggling with addiction.
If Oregon does not walk back its decriminalization of these narcotics, then it can expect its rate of overdoses to increase. Unfortunately, this means more lives that could have been rehabilitated will eventually succumb to addiction.
In the meantime, other states that may be considering similar legislation have an opportunity to learn from Oregon’s mistakes.
What do you think of the latest increase in overdoses since Oregon chose to legalize these very hard drugs? Do you think the state will eventually walk back this policy? In the comments area down below, don’t hesitate to let us know.
