In February 2021, politicians and activists celebrated Oregon's implementation of Measure 110, the nation's first law to decriminalize drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and meth. It's not a surprise what happened next: a dramatic increase in overdoses.

Fast forward to last week: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency in Portland due to sharp rises in overdose deaths, public drug use, and crime. Though the state of emergency is a step in the right direction, more must be done to undo the harm caused by Measure 110 and help more Oregonians live safe and healthy lives.

Now that Democratic and Republican state legislators have introduced bills to increase penalties for the possession of drugs—effectively reversing decriminalization and conceding it has failed—it is a good time to look back at what led to this state of emergency.

Overdose deaths in Oregon have spiraled out of control. Between 2020 and 2022, overdose deaths increased by 75 percent, compared to only 18 percent nationally. In Oregon, opioid-involved overdoses increased by 101 percent, accounting for more than 70 percent of overdose deaths in 2022. Likewise, meth-involved overdoses increased by 112 percent, accounting for 55 percent of overdose deaths in........

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