Drug treatment centres funded by M110 are seeing an increasing number of people seeking help

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – Starting next month, drug possession will once again be a crime here in Oregon thanks to House Bill 4002, which repeals portions of Measure 110. That law decriminalized drugs and opened up funding opportunities for drug treatment.

But not all aspects of Measure 110 will disappear if re-criminalisation occurs. The main aim of Measure 110 remains the same: to encourage police to get drug users into treatment rather than throwing them straight into prison.

According to a new report from the Oregon Health Authority, more patients have sought treatment in recent months.

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Many resource centers – like Going Home II – received federal funding when Measure 110 was passed in 2020.

“This meant a lot to us because without 911, we would not be able to do this work, employ the staff we have and do the work against the drugs that have plagued our communities for many, many years,” said Michael Fesser, executive director of Going Home II.

The additional funding has allowed them to take on more clients. James Demry, director of operations at Going Home II Recovery Resource Center, said demand for treatment has increased over the past year.

“We're seeing the same things there, more clients, more people seeking help,” Demry said. “There are also new providers coming in. And we're getting more referrals from these treatment organizations.”

The Oregon Health Authority has tracked retention for the past four years, and its most recent report shows there were significant increases in “residential services” and “supported employment” from October to December 2023. While demand for “screenings and assessments” declined during that period, health officials say they are still higher than when Measure 110 went into effect.

“I think the numbers will continue to rise and give us more opportunities to help people stay clean, find jobs and housing, get their lives back on track and be mothers and fathers to the community again,” Demry said.

Another aspect of Measure 110 that will remain in place after September 1 is the use of cannabis tax funds to support drug treatment and education organizations.

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