Oregon's first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law faces growing pushback amid fentanyl crisis

Oregon's pioneering drug decriminalization law is facing a backlash amid a surge in public drug use fueled by fentanyl and an increase in synthetic opioid overdose deaths. The measure will be among the top issues in the upcoming legislative session starting in February. Republicans have proposed reimposing criminal penalties for drug possession. Even top Democrats who back the law now say they're open to amending it. Federal data shows Oregon saw the biggest increase in synthetic opioid deaths since 2019 among states that have reported their numbers. Oregon’s first-in-the-nation law, enacted in early 2021, decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs and directed the state's cannabis tax revenue toward addiction treatment services.