December 5, 2023 3:40 a.m.
House Republicans Christine Goodwin of Canyonville, Kevin Mannix of Salem and Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich have released statements regarding Monday’s meeting of the Joint Interim Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response on Measure 110.
A joint release said Goodwin and Mannix serve on that committee.
Goodwin said, “Drug addiction thrives in an environment with no obstacles. M110 has decriminalized dangerous drugs and in so doing has exacerbated a growing drug addiction epidemic in our state. Too many dangerous drugs remain legal, cheap and plentiful on our streets. We need a fresh start to build back bridges to recovery”. Goodwin said, “We need to return the tools to law enforcement to support recovery and build out evidence-based treatment facilities. The state investments in treatment programs need to be accountable for success in ending the suffering of drug addiction. We have chaos in our communities and the public is fed up”.
Mannix said, “What has become abundantly clear is that Measure 110 needs dramatic revisions. On one hand, people need to be held accountable for their abuse of street drugs, which leads them to commit crimes to feed their addictions”. Mannix said, “On the other hand, we need to dramatically reform our drug rehabilitation delivery system so that those who are addicted can promptly receive comprehensive treatment which will put them on the road to recovery”.
Helfrich said, “Today, we heard more of the same from radical special interests who benefit from the status quo. We also heard heartbreaking stories from people living with the consequences of Measure 110’s failure, and they are begging for change”. Helfrich said, “The majority party only wants to talk: Republicans want action. Our caucus has put forward ideas to get addiction, homelessness, and crime under control, and we urge the majority to work with us to implement these solutions in the next session”.
Representative Christine Goodwin will talk more about the issue and the meeting, on Inside Douglas County Tuesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN.