Oregon Drug Treatment and Decriminalization Measure Announces 75 Endorsers

August 12, 2020

NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Contact: Devon Downeysmith
Communications Director

Oregon Drug Treatment and Decriminalization Measure Announces 75 Endorsers
The More Treatment campaign has received widespread support from organizations across the state and sectors.

Initiative 44 has secured the endorsements of over 75 organizations across the state. Endorsers are varied, but have one common thread: they represent communities who agree that Oregon needs more access to treatment, and that it’s time to shift away from a criminal approach to drug addiction, to a more humane, effective health-based approach.

Supporters include:

  • Treatment and recovery organizations, like Central City Concern, the Alano Club of Portland, Bridges to Change and The Miracles Club.
  • Racial justice and equity groups, like the Coalition of Communities of Color, NAACP Portland, NAACP Eugene-Springfield, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Latino Network, and Native American Youth and Family Center, and Basic Rights Oregon.
  • Oregon trade unions, like AFSCME Oregon, which represents healthcare workers and corrections offices; IBEW 48, Oregon’s electrical industry union; PCUN, Oregon’s farmworker union; and the Oregon Machinists Council.
  • Unusual suspects, like the American College of Physicians, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the National Association of Social Workers – Oregon Chapter, the Oregon Machinists’ Council, and the Oregon School Psychologists’ Association.

Click here for a complete list of endorsing organizations

In addition to organizational endorsements, the campaign has received broad support from doctors, nurses, treatment providers, scientists who study drug use, and more. Those supporters include:

  • Ed Blackburn, retired executive director of Central City Concern
  • Steve Rudman, Executive Director, Home Forward (retired)
  • Richard Harris, Founder, Central City Concern & Director, Mental Health and Addiction for the State of Oregon (retired)
  • Dr. Jessica Gregg, Associate Professor of Medicine, OHSU
  • Jo Strom Lane, Teacher, Roosevelt High School
  • Joe McFerrin, Executive Director, Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC) & Rosemary Anderson High School
  • Mike Schmidt, District Attorney, Multnomah County
  • John Hummel, District Attorney, Deschutes County
  • Amanda Marshall, Former US Attorney for the State of Oregon
  • Neil Franklin, retired police major and current executive director of Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP).
  • Lily Nickerson, Registered Nurse, Columbia County
  • Douglas M. Nelson, Ed.D., Superintendent, Bend La Pine Schools (Retired) and Past President, Oregon School Boards Association
  • Babak Zolfaghari-Azar, POIC + RAHS Family Care Manager, Partnership for Safety and Justice Board Member
  • Dr. Andy Seaman, MD, Drug Addiction Medicine Researcher, Healthcare for the Homeless Clinician
  • See what people have to say about IP44 here.

“One reason support is growing for this measure is because we need it right now more than ever,” said Janie Gullickson, Chief Petitioner of IP 44 and the Executive Director of the Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon. “Before COVID, Oregon already ranked nearly last in the nation in providing basic access to drug treatment, and the financial and personal stress from the pandemic has only exacerbated Oregon’s need for adequate drug treatment and community-based recovery support services after treatment. People desperately need the services that will be funded by this ballot measure.”

About IP44
IP 44 would establish a more humane and effective approach to drug addiction, increasing the availability of drug treatment and recovery services, while reducing simple drug possession penalties from misdemeanors to infractions. Existing marijuana taxes would help pay for it. IP 44 does not legalize any drugs.

Racial and ethnic impact of IP44
Earlier this month the Secretary of State released a report on behalf of the Criminal Justice Commission showing that IP 44 would nearly eliminate racial disparities for drug arrests and convictions.

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