January 24, 2024 3:10 a.m.

Three Republican leaders are criticizing a Democratic plan released on Tuesday, to address Measure 110.

A GOP release said Republicans have also introduced several key pieces of legislation which can be found at: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp of Bend, said, “Above all, I am saddened by the Democrats lack of interest to do what is necessary to end the drug addiction crisis, which is killing people young and old every day. They are instead choosing to listen to special interests and pursue an omnibus bill reduced to window dressing”. Knopp said, “While Democrats kick the can down the road, we will continue to put forward bold solutions that will stop the drug crisis in its tracks”.

Representative Christine Goodwin of Canyonville said, “The proposal we saw today is one chalked full of farcical fixes which will work about as well as the drug treatment hotline. Measure 110 has proven that voluntary addiction treatment does not work and keeps people chronically addicted. Oregonians overwhelmingly agree that we must scrap this naïve approach, but the Democrat’s proposal keeps the status quo in place”. Goodwin said, “Oregonians deserve better than this weak proposal. It will do almost nothing to save lives, clean up our streets, and restore safety to our communities”.

Representative Kevin Mannix of Keizer said, “Oregonians have made it abundantly clear: we must reestablish hard drug use as a Class A misdemeanor so that rehabilitation treatment can be required. The current system does no include such power and a low-level class c misdemeanor only provides 30 days in jail as an alternative. This is nowhere near the amount of time needed to address addiction”. Mannix said, “Our current system is not compassionate. People are hurting. The Legislature has a responsibility to step up and meet this challenge”.