Mayor Ted Wheeler says he won't proceed with push to criminalize public drug use in Portland

Mayor Wheeler said a ban on open drug use "is no longer necessary" because of new House Bill 2645 that adds criminal penalties for fentanyl possession above a gram.

[ahthisisgood]

Hell Portland, why not just sell fentynal at city run dispensaries... That way at least you can get the tax. SMH.
I grew up in Portland and couldn't be more disappointed in it's demise.

[Chris-emfl]

Repeal 110 it’s not working. You can’t people who don’t want to be helped.

[karicoleman]

Where’s the “Be Kind Brigade”? Surely all that’s needed is more free tents, free food, free paraphernalia and freedom from consequences. That ought to do the trick, oh, and untold additional millions payable to more happy-slappy NGOS no one’s ever heard of nor will again.

[df]

He should have moved forward and puts in question his integrity. The governor should call a special session to fix this problem statewide. Ban all illegal drug use in public, period!!!!

[That_]

I am disgusted with Portland. I have lost too many people I knew to fentanyl. I have lost too many loved ones to this shit show of a city. 😢 My dad, my best friend and too many old friends are gone and I will never see again. This has gone too far. We need rehabs to be mandatory, we need mental institutions, we need to bring back poor farms and most of all this city needs tough love.

[jeramiahdaley]

Both would have been tools to further separate drug users and homeless trying to get into housing think about it if were to pass someone doing drugs openly is going to be alienated in fear that they themselves would catch a charge further pointing them out to receive help for addiction and the ones avoiding them could be seen without a fear of association. Drawing these lines can truly help with numbers as is right now they are all seen together when that's not it at all and dividing this into drug or homeless will give a better understanding to both addiction work as well as homeless help. Divide and conquer so to speak.

[chrisward]

Wake up Portland this is the guy who started all this for you. Don't forget to re-elect him😂😂😂

[oldproracing]

There is nothing compassionate about normalizing drug abuse.

[jobella]

Physical violence/car chase/ racing, guns deaths, give money to stock holders who get rich & citizens end up poor in the streets....prevention deterrents aren't a luxury but a need for a crisis, sad.

[jamesklaatu]

Only one ideology and party to blame for the decay, violence, crime, and chaos you live with today. And the voters that keep reelecting it.

[tonys]

Keep voting blue and this is what you get..

[duvine]

Portugal is the template for Portland & if Portland makes it then Portland can be the template thing example for or nation.

[RyanRuark]

Repeal 110 and fire Mike Schmidt. Enough bullshit.

[betchface]

Government is not there to arbitrarily make laws with no solutions to societies problems…