Portland State University researchers look at the effects of Measure 110 on law enforcement, public safety

In November 2020, Oregon became the first state in the nation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs with the passage of Measure 110. The measure also directs money from cannabis tax revenues to expand drug treatment and recovery services. Researchers at Portland State University are now studying the effects of Measure 110 with a three-year study funded by the National Institute of Justice. They interviewed 23 police officers from 10 different agencies in rural and urban counties in Oregon for their first report which focuses on the impact of Measure 110 on law enforcement. Officers expressed frustration with Measure 110 and said they were reluctant to issue citations for drug possession which they felt amounted to unnecessary paperwork. Christopher Campbell is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Portland State University and a co-author of the study. He joins us to talk about the findings and goals of the study.