Ashland, Oregon (August 27, 2024) – In November 2020, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed Ballot Measure 110. The measure reclassified possession and penalties for specified drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, PCF, LSD, oxycodone, and others. The new law made the penalty for drug possession a Class E civil violation and went into effect February 1, 2021. This year the measure was amended by Oregon House Bill 4002, which repealed the drug decriminalization portion in response to growing public backlash. “Measure 110: Milestone, Mistake or Some of Both?” is the topic of a free public discussion on Tuesday, September 3, from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd.
The speakers will be Rep. Pam Marsh, Oregon House of Representatives, District 5; and Kerri Hecox, Medical Director and founder of the Oasis Center of the Rogue Valley in Medford. They will discuss what happened with Measure 110, the changes brought about by HB 4002, and the new deflection programs in place. Additionally, they will cover what Measure 110 funded in the Rogue Valley, and go over the ongoing gaps, barriers, and needs in our addiction system.
Ashland’s Rep. Marsh was first elected to the House in November 2016 and currently serves as chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee. She is also a member of these House Committees: Climate, Energy and Environment; Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water; Revenue; and the Joint Committees on Tax Expenditures along with Legislative Policy and Research. Dr. Hecox is board-certified in family medicine and addiction medicine. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Colorado and Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
The monthly “Big Ideas” discussion series features prominent local experts speaking on relevant and timely issues affecting our community. Lectures are jointly sponsored by the Ashland Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Jackson County Library Services. For more information, please contact Jackson County Library Services at 541-774-6996.