Portland City Council passes ban on hard drug use in public — but state lawmakers must give OKBy Allie Griffin
Published Sep. 6, 2023
Portland City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to enact a ban on the use of hard drugs like fentanyl, heroin and meth on public property in an effort to improve the Oregon city’s livability.
The council voted 5-0 to approve the emergency ordinance which adds criminal penalties to public drug use, including up to six months in jail or a $500 fine, the Oregonian reported.
“These are necessary, common-sense steps to disrupt debilitating drug use on the streets of Portland that does deep damage to our city’s livability, overwhelms our emergency response system and destroys lives,” Commissioner Rene Gonzalez said, according to the local outlet.
However, the ordinance is powerless unless Oregon state lawmakers pass a new law that would allow cities and other municipalities the authority to regulate public drug consumption — which residents voted to decriminalize in a 2020 ballot measure.
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Source:
https://nypost.com/2023/09/06/portland-passes-ban-on-hard-drug-use-in-public-but-state-pols-must-ok/