James Lambert
Last November, voters in the state of Oregon passed an legal initiative that effectively decriminalizes personal possession of hard drugs. This new law in Oregon went into effect on February 1st of 2021. This new law pertains to a ‘small’ personal possession of a variety of formerly illegal drugs including heroin, LSD and cocaine.
As a former student and graduate from a small college in Oregon, I am deeply saddened by the passing of this initiative. This new measure will certainly encourage young people in that state to either continuing using hard drugs or to try using them for the first time. With young people and other older potential drug users, any concern or fear of breaking the law has been taken away,
With these hard drugs being much more potent than they were in the 1970s, it is very unfortunate that this law passed. Apparently over 56% of the voters in the state of Oregon voted for this initiative last November.
As I look back I know of at least 4 people whom I once attended school with who died from excessive drug use. I also know of others where their personal drug use affected their lives ‘for the worse.’ All you have to do is look at the national statistics. According to the CDC there were over 81,000 hard drug related deaths in the United States from June 2019 to June 2020.
The opponents of last November’s initiative made a strong case that this initiative would lead to more people using drugs. Sadly, voters throughout the state of Oregon didn’t listen. Clearly this new law (legalization of hard drugs) is a danger that ultimately could negatively affect other states in the future if they too enact a similar initiative.
© James LambertThe views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
