Oregon law decriminalizing small amounts of all street drugs went into effect Monday, making it the first state in the nation to take the measure.
Those who encounter amounts of drugs for personal use (including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone, and ecstasy) will now face a $ 100 fine instead of a criminal charge.
Known as measure 110, the legislation was overwhelming on the part of state voters in November. It focuses on providing treatment to drug users through newly funded addiction recovery centers.
“Today has fallen the first domino of our cruel and inhumane war on drugs, causing what we hope will be a cascade of other health-focused efforts on criminalization,” Kassandra Frederique, executive director of Kassandra Frederique, told the Associated Press. the Drug Policy Alliance. .
The law was not without opposition. Two dozen district attorneys argued it would lead to the normalization of dangerous drugs.
Oregon is known to be at the forefront of progressive drug laws.
In 1973, the state became the first country to decriminalize marijuana. Then, in 2014, recreational marijuana became legal in Oregon.
With publishing cables