Oregon
Oregon Backtracks on Drug Decriminalization
Hopes were high in Oregon three years ago when voters approved decriminalizing hard drugs that the result would be fewer addicts in prison and more in treatment. The approach hasn’t lived up to the promise, and the legislature has approved a bill making possession of small amounts of hard drugs a misdemeanor carrying up to a six-month jail sentence, the Wall Street Journal reports. “I came into this building two weeks ago knowing that we had to do something,” said Democratic Rep. Dacia Grayber, “because the status quo of what we are doing is not working.”
It turned out that not many people turned to addiction services, which had been expanded, once the threat of imprisonment was removed. And drug use in public became widespread. Saying that fentanyl use had led to a public health and public safety crisis, the governor, mayor of Portland, and the chair of its county declared a joint state of emergency in January. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek’s office did not comment on whether she’ll sign the newly passed bill, but she’s said before that she wasn’t opposed to restoring criminal penalties for drug possession.
Legislative debate included stories about the effect addictions and overdoses have had on lawmakers’ loved ones. “I’ve worked so many overdoses,” said Grayber, a firefighter-paramedic. Advocates warned against turning back to the war on drugs, per the New York Times. They’ve called for increasing investment in affordable housing and drug treatment. “This Legislature did not pass real solutions,” said Sandy Chung of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. “This is about politics and political theater.” (More drug laws stories.)
The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming and it’s almost Pride season in Oregon. Local celebrations for LGBTQ+ communities across the state begin in May and go on into the fall.
Whether it’s a gala in Astoria or a parade in Roseburg, you can spend over three full months celebrating the season in Oregon. Here’s how:
And the historic aspect?
“I won a rally in México, Canada and now America,” said the three-time NACAM champion. “I think I’m the first person to do that. This has been a great event: fantastic people, such a nice ambiance and some really cool, fast stages – I will be back next year.”
Having started the day trailing Javi Olivares, Albert got by the Fiesta on Sunday’s second test, Shadowbuck. Regularly fastest of the crews still in the overall fight, Albert set his sights on P1. While he nibbled at the Rally2 car ahead, any hopes of taking chunks of time were spoiled by a busy afternoon.
“You name it, it got thrown at us this afternoon,” Albert told DirtFish. “I’ve got to thank the crew on the car, they’ve busted their a***s all day long. We got two punctures, a broken control arm and a collapsing cooling duct. The control arm was interesting: every time we braked the car pulled off the road. The only way to slow down was with the handbrake.
“In a straight line, it was OK, so we said to each other, “What do we do? Should we just gun it? Yeah, let’s gun it.” We just slowed down early for the corners and by some magical physics the wheel stayed on.
Oregon Route 126 is closed east of Florence Sunday afternoon following a traffic accident, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
The closure was reported around 3 p.m. on Sunday, about six miles east of Mapleton, between Florence and Eugene. On-scene reports indicate that the accident involved at least two vehicles. The number of injuries was unknown as of 3:30 p.m.
The highway, a major route in the area, was busier than usual due to the popular “Rhody Fest” Rhododendron Festival in Florence, which had been expected to draw increased traffic volume on the highway.
ODOT officials urged drivers to seek alternative routes and expect delays as emergency responders work to clear the scene and investigate the incident. There was no estimated time for when the highway would reopen.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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