Trip to Portugal offers Oregon lawmakers a look at drug decriminalization 20 years later

Two dozen elected officials, law enforcement officers and substance use treatment providers traveled from Oregon to Portugal recently to learn about the country’s 20-year-old drug decriminalization program, which inspired Oregon’s voter-approved Measure 110. The trip was organized and largely paid for by the Health Justice Recovery Alliance, a statewide advocacy organization focused on implementing M110. The group met with Portuguese policymakers and addiction service professionals to learn how the country built an integrated health care response to its addiction crisis.

Lily Morgan is a Republican state representative from Grants Pass. Kate Lieber is a Democratic state senator representing Beaverton and Southwest Portland and serves as the Senate Majority Leader. They join us to talk about the trip and whether it presented applicable lessons for Oregon.