November 16, 2023 3:20 a.m.

This week House Republicans wrote to Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner and Speaker Dan Rayfield with proposals for policy they say are “…needed to end the addiction, crime, and homeless epidemics that have been exacerbated by the failure of Measure 110”.

House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich said, “Oregon is in crisis because Measure 110 has failed. House Republicans have diligently assembled proposals for legislation needed to effect meaningful change to end the addiction, crime, and homelessness that plague our state”. Helfrich said its time for the majority party to put partisanship and special interests aside and work with Republicans to implement “…these desperately needed solutions so that our state can begin to heal”.

House Republican proposals include:

*Restore criminal justice accountability for those who possess deadly fentanyl, heroin and meth

*Prohibit the public use of hard drugs in a manner consistent with alcohol and marijuana

*Prioritize treatment for drug addicts by allowing them to choose treatment instead of jail if arrested for drug-related offenses. Expunge criminal records for those who successfully undergo treatment to beat their addictions

*Adequately fund county probation departments and Oregon Specialty Courts that supervise misdemeanor theft and property crime cases where defendants are struggling with addiction

*Invest in good health by providing adequate county-level funding to implement prevention, treatment, recovery support, community harm reduction and enforcement services

*Make capital investment in stabilization and treatment facilities by leveraging state bonds

*Reform ineffective boards and procedures within the law that prevent resources from reaching areas of acute needs