Oregonians need treatment. Let's save lives.

Initiative Petition 44

Oregon ranks nearly last of all states in access to basic drug treatment. One in 11 Oregonians is addicted to drugs, and one to two Oregonians die of drug overdoses every day, sometimes while they are waiting to get treatment. This is a crisis.

Meanwhile, our current drug laws can ruin lives based on a single mistake. Possession of even a small amount of drugs can land someone in jail and saddle them with a lifelong criminal record that prevents them from getting a job, getting housing or even a credit card.

This ballot measure doesn’t legalize any drugs. Rather, it removes criminal penalties for small amounts of personal possession of drugs and connects people with drug treatment and recovery services. Using funds from Oregon’s existing marijuana tax, IP 44 will greatly expand access to drug treatment and recovery services throughout the state. Anyone who wants treatment will be able to get it, not just those who have the funds or “right” insurance plan.

Let’s save lives, not ruin them

People suffering from addiction need help, not criminal punishments. This measure would establish a humane, health-based approach to addressing drug addiction. People will no longer be arrested and put in jail simply for possession of small amounts of drugs. Instead, they will be connected to the right treatment or recovery services, including housing assistance, to help them get their lives back on track.

A more humane, effective approach that will save lives - and money

It costs nearly $30,000 to arrest, prosecute and jail someone for simple drug possession. It costs only about $10,000 to provide drug treatment to those people who want it. This measure will change our approach: instead of arresting and jailing people for drugs, we’d use marijuana tax revenue to pay for more addiction treatment services. It will save money and save lives.

Learn More

Professionals and community leaders support Initiative Petition 44.

Learn More

Andy Seaman

Drug addiction medicine researcher; Healthcare for the Homeless clinician

Drug overdose now kills more people under 50 than anything else, and yet we continue to double down on decades of failed drug war policies. Criminalizing people who use drugs has only added fuel to the engine driving the overdose crisis while doing nothing to slow harmful drug use. By incarcerating people who use drugs for simple use, we tear apart communities, foster use in less safe environments, and prevent people from attaining security and employment that is linked with less risky use. Oregon, let’s replace incarceration with funding for evidence-based treatment and support. There is a better way.

Kayse Jama

Executive Director, Unite Oregon

Oregonians believe that our public safety system should be equitable and just for all communities. However, in Oregon and throughout the US, people of color, immigrants, and refugees face discrimination at every stage of the process, especially when it comes to drugs. That's wrong and reprehensible. Decriminalizing drug possession and expanding access to treatment will help reduce the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, and help all Oregonians who suffer from addiction. We support Initiative Petition 44 because it's a key step toward achieving racial justice within our public safety system.

Richard Harris

Founder, Central City Concern; Retired Director, Mental Health and Addiction for the State of Oregon

Criminalizing personal drug use as part of the 50+ year war on drugs has been a profound failure that has ruined countless lives. It is time to change to a healthcare approach to solving addiction problems. We know providing the right services at the right time without barriers is essential to successful recovery from addictive drug use. Paying for the services as outlined in IP44 will effectively provide treatment on demand to those struggling with drug addiction.

Kelsey Priest, PhD, MPh

Opioid treatment and policy researcher

As a public health researcher, and future addiction physician, I support the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act because punishment and prohibition are not evidence-informed or humane approaches for addiction treatment. People who use drugs and those with substance use disorders should instead have easy access to 21st century treatment and recovery interventions. Oregon ranks 50th in addiction treatment access; we can, and we must do a better job!

Madeline Martinez

Grandmother and retired corrections officer

Nuestras leyes de drogas actuales son claramente ineficaces y perjudican de manera desproporcionada a las personas de color y a todas las personas que luchan contra la pobreza. En lugar de arrestar y encarcelar a ciudadanos no violentos con problemas de adicción, veremos mejores resultados al brindar tratamiento a pedido.

Bobby Byrd

Oregon father and grandfather

I pay taxes and I have worked all my life – yet I am still considered a criminal for a drug offense that happened over 27 years ago. It has kept me from succeeding and being all I can be: a better role model for my kids and grandkids, and for them to know that the man they love can have a solid, productive life.

Janie Gullickson

Executive Director, Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon

I was addicted to methamphetamine for 22 years and was in and out of jail, in and out of jail, again and again. Because of my criminal record and my addiction, I struggled to get housing and a job and to be treated with dignity and respect. If I had been able to get access to treatment and recovery sooner, it would have made a world of difference. But treatment only works when you are able to get it, which is why it should be available on demand, for everyone who needs it. Unfortunately, Oregon ranks nearly last in access to treatment. This initiative is our chance to change that. Let’s establish a humane, health-based approach to addressing drug addiction in Oregon.”

Sergeant Pete Tutmark (retired)

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office

Looking back on my 33 year career in Oregon law enforcement, I believe the criminal/punishment model for addressing drug addiction has failed. This is a public health crisis and should be treated as such. Nobody wins when police spend our days punishing people for drug possession. Every person we arrest for drugs is one more person who refuses to talk to us when we’re questioning witnesses and gathering clues. Our drug laws make police work harder and communities less safe.

Have you or or someone you care about been touched by Oregon’s addiction crisis?

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More treatment, a better Oregon. Please join the campaign.

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