3 ms·

Is it just decriminalized, or is there safe supply in Portland also? Because without a steady, safe supply, people are still going to continue overdosing.

amanaplanacanal 4y ago
Yes. We need complete legalization and regulation. People who want opioids need to be able to get a known product, and people who don't want opioids need to know that their product doesn't contain any.
- noduerme 4y ago
  People who want opiates are people who can't wait to die. [edit] I like your username btw... I actually said that to someone tonight... a man, a plan, a canal; Panama. The couple stared at me until I said "palindrome" and then I'm pretty sure they thought I was crazy.
  - pcthrowaway 4y ago
    You do realize that there are clinical uses for opiates right?
noduerme 4y ago
Possession here without intent to sell is now decriminalized for all drugs, and larger amounts are considered misdemeanors. I do think "legalization" would be better - where the supply was safe and regulated. There's also the simple fact that being one of the few places in a country full of addicts to advance decriminalization has made us a destination for people who want to die on the street with a pipe and a needle, so we've had a massive influx from the rest of the country that we are not equipped to handle. But layered over that is the cartel system that runs the human trafficking and the mass theft that perpetuates a lot of the human misery here now. Easier access to drugs sounds humane but it's exactly the opposite.
- pcthrowaway 4y ago
  Then it's unfortunate to hear you regret voting for decriminalization and think it'd be better to go back to punishing people harshly for drug use and distribution. I think decriminalization is the first step, only because it's hard to push for safe supply in addition to decriminalization, but we should all be pushing for safe supply now as well, and the proceeds of that going to funding rehab programs, as well as other overall QoL improvements for people. Legalization + safe supply might not reduce the occurrence of people using (or at least not right away), but it will provide better overall outcomes for society. If we address the systemic issues which cause so much suffering (which is why we're seeing so much addiction), and also provide treatment options, people will be more inclined to seek out those options. I assume you're familiar with the Rat Park findings? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park)

amanaplanacanal 4y ago

Yes. We need complete legalization and regulation. People who want opioids need to be able to get a known product, and people who don't want opioids need to know that their product doesn't contain any.

noduerme 4y ago
People who want opiates are people who can't wait to die. [edit] I like your username btw... I actually said that to someone tonight... a man, a plan, a canal; Panama. The couple stared at me until I said "palindrome" and then I'm pretty sure they thought I was crazy.
- pcthrowaway 4y ago
  You do realize that there are clinical uses for opiates right?

noduerme 4y ago

Possession here without intent to sell is now decriminalized for all drugs, and larger amounts are considered misdemeanors. I do think "legalization" would be better - where the supply was safe and regulated. There's also the simple fact that being one of the few places in a country full of addicts to advance decriminalization has made us a destination for people who want to die on the street with a pipe and a needle, so we've had a massive influx from the rest of the country that we are not equipped to handle. But layered over that is the cartel system that runs the human trafficking and the mass theft that perpetuates a lot of the human misery here now. Easier access to drugs sounds humane but it's exactly the opposite.

pcthrowaway 4y ago
Then it's unfortunate to hear you regret voting for decriminalization and think it'd be better to go back to punishing people harshly for drug use and distribution. I think decriminalization is the first step, only because it's hard to push for safe supply in addition to decriminalization, but we should all be pushing for safe supply now as well, and the proceeds of that going to funding rehab programs, as well as other overall QoL improvements for people. Legalization + safe supply might not reduce the occurrence of people using (or at least not right away), but it will provide better overall outcomes for society. If we address the systemic issues which cause so much suffering (which is why we're seeing so much addiction), and also provide treatment options, people will be more inclined to seek out those options. I assume you're familiar with the Rat Park findings? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park)