Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Look to Change Drug Possession to a Misdemeanor

The associations representing Oregon sheriffs and chiefs of police are recommending that the state change the way drug possession is dealt with in the criminal justice system - changing possession to a misdemeanor from a felony.

"Too often, individuals with addiction issues find their way to the doorstep of the criminal justice system when they are arrested for possession of a controlled substance," the groups said in a statement. "The penalty is often a felony drug conviction where the person may receive a jail sentence, are placed on probation and receive limited treatment services.

"Unfortunately, felony convictions in these cases also include unintended and collateral consequences including barriers to housing and employment and a disparate impact on minority communities."

The groups make it clear they are only talking about arrests for "user-amount" possession cases. They suggest that, in those instances, "offenders be carefully assessed and given individualized, mandated treatment as a condition of their conviction.

"If successful, drug abusers will return to health and productivity and will not commit future crimes where they become further entangled in the criminal justice system."

The groups say that the money saved by avoiding felony prosecutions should be used to help fund treatment programs.

They say that they want to work the governor, attorney general, legislature, and district attorneys across the state to make the change a reality.

"We must be clear," the groups said. "It is imperative that mandated assessments and treatment services accompany this change in drug crime policy so that individual risks and needs can been identified and addressed."

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