Oregon and Washington See Crime Surge Following Drug Decriminalization, Prompting Policy Reversals

Recent analyses of drug decriminalization policies in Oregon and Washington state indicate a significant rise in violent and property crime, alongside increased public disorder. These findings have contributed to both states moving to recriminalize drug possession, challenging the efficacy of such reforms without substantial treatment infrastructure.

A new study, cited by Charles Fain Lehman of the Manhattan Institute, reveals that experiments with decriminalizing drug possession in Oregon and Washington led to a surge in serious violent and property crimes, particularly in major urban centers like Portland and Seattle. This research counters arguments that public safety issues related to drugs are solely a consequence of criminalization.

Oregon's Ballot Measure 110, passed in 2020, decriminalized personal possession of all drugs, shifting the focus from criminal penalties to health assessments and treatment. However, the policy faced mounting criticism over perceived increases in public drug use and related criminal activity. Law enforcement surveys in Oregon reported substantial increases in violent crime, property crimes, and public disorder offenses such as open drug use and trespassing.

The Wall Street Journal Opinion section, quoting Charles F. Lehman, sharply summarized the outcomes, stating, "> America has tried drug decriminalization, and the results are in: more crime, more disorder, more death." This sentiment reflects a growing concern among critics who argue that the policies failed to deliver on promises of reduced harm and increased treatment engagement.

In response to these developments, Oregon's legislature voted in 2024 to recriminalize drug possession, effectively reversing Measure 110. Similarly, Washington state, which saw de facto decriminalization following a 2021 Supreme Court ruling, also moved to recriminalize drug possession, albeit with an emphasis on treatment referrals. These legislative shifts underscore a re-evaluation of drug policy approaches in the Pacific Northwest.

While proponents of decriminalization often point to Portugal's model as a success, experts like Lehman emphasize a crucial distinction: Portugal's decriminalization in 2001 was accompanied by a significant expansion of drug treatment and harm reduction services. Studies on Portugal's experience show mixed results regarding overdose deaths, with some indicating no significant change or slight increases, rather than a universal decline. The US experience, particularly in Oregon, has been criticized for lacking adequate treatment capacity to support the policy change.