In a significant turn of events, influential lawmakers in Oregon are advocating for the reintroduction of potential criminal penalties for drug possession, three years after the state eliminated such consequences. Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, a Democrat from Portland, along with state Representative Jason Kropf, is leading the charge, offering a proposal that aims to address concerns surrounding drug use and addiction.

The proposal, known as House Bill 4002, outlines several changes to Oregon's drug policy. Under the bill, possession of small amounts of drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin would be classified as a low-level misdemeanor, granting law enforcement greater power to prosecute drug dealers. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to facilitate rehabilitation and offer opportunities for offenders to avoid criminal convictions.

Lieber and Kropf emphasize that their proposed changes align with Oregon's public health approach to addiction services. They assert that individuals caught with small amounts of drugs will have repeated chances to escape criminal charges by engaging with service providers. Even if convicted, there would be options to expunge their records easily.

Apart from the changes in drug possession penalties, House Bill 4002 suggests various other policy modifications. Democratic lawmakers aim to improve access to medication for withdrawal symptoms, allocate funding for specialty courts prioritizing treatment, and establish additional sober housing and essential services. The bill intends to integrate law enforcement and the behavioral health system in combating drug-related issues.

The proposal follows months of effort by Lieber and Kropf, both former prosecutors, who chaired a special legislative committee focused on addressing Oregon's concerning surge in fentanyl and methamphetamine use. While the Democrats view their proposal as a compromise, it receives criticism from advocates for Measure 110, which decriminalized drug possession in 2020. These advocates argue that the proposed reintroduction of criminal penalties will overwhelm an already strained court system and contradict the goal of racial justice.

On the other hand, law enforcement groups and Republican lawmakers believe that the Democrats' plan falls short. They argue that drug possession should be classified as a class A misdemeanor, carrying more severe potential consequences to incentivize individuals to accept rehabilitative help.

If enacted, House Bill 4002 would classify small drug possession as a class C misdemeanor, outlawing public drug use while providing law enforcement with a more straightforward approach to drug confiscation. The bill also emphasizes mandatory options for individuals to escape consequences, connects addiction treatment with law enforcement encounters, and facilitates the conviction of drug dealers.

Furthermore, the legislation suggests allowing sobering centers to hold drug-intoxicated individuals for up to three days without consent and streamlining access to medications for opioid addiction while strengthening availability within correctional facilities.

Lieber and Kropf's proposal addresses the growing public concern over drug use and aims to strike a balance between public safety and addiction treatment. However, it has drawn criticism from both sides of the drug policy debate, with advocates for Measure 110 warning of potential setbacks and law enforcement groups advocating for stronger penalties.

House Bill 4002 had its initial hearing before the legislative committee chaired by Lieber and Kropf on Tuesday afternoon, marking the beginning of in-depth discussions on Oregon's drug policy and addiction treatment during this year's legislative session.