Three years ago, in February 2021, the U.S. state of Oregon enacted the high-profile "Bill 110", claiming to be the "most lenient in the United States" drug regulations, easing restrictions on the possession of small amounts of drugs.
However, three years on, drug proliferation and overdose deaths are getting worse, and the Ohio legislature has had to revisit the bill, which is known as "legalization."
This back and forth not only reflects the helplessness and struggle of American society over the drug problem, but also highlights an absurd reality that cannot be escaped.
The "battle" for drug-addicted voters across the United States
Oregon has always been known for its lax drug policy. As early as 1973, the state was the first to legalize possession, and since 2014, it has even allowed people to use it for recreational purposes.
The implementation of Bill 110 has pushed the state to a new level, becoming the first region in the United States and even the world to legalize "hard drugs" such as cocaine and ***.
However, the bill was passed in November 2020 on the occasion of the United States***, which caused widespread controversy.
The reason behind this is simple: When Democrats and Republicans are evenly matched, winning the support of drug-addicted voters will be the difference between victory and defeat. For politicians, getting votes is more important than protecting the health of their citizens.
Under Act 110, instead of arresting drug users, a $100 ticket is issued, and *** drug addicts who are provided with a drug rehabilitation facility simply call *** for help, and the ticket will be canceled. Even if you ignore the ticket, you will not be prosecuted.
However, data released by the state of Osoamerica shows that only 4% of those penalized have called***
Meanwhile, according to the CDC, the number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. will be close to 110,000 in 2023, up 07%。Among them, drug overdose deaths in Oregon have surged by 11 percent.
As the number of drug overdose deaths continues to rise, more and more Russians are calling for the repeal of Bill 110.
Recently, Democratic lawmakers in Ohio introduced a new bill that would make possession of small amounts of drugs a misdemeanor and allow offenders to seek medical help to avoid prosecution. Republican lawmakers, however, criticized the proposal for not punitive enough.
Some commentators have pointed out that the contest between the two parties on the drug-related issue is more like a political game. Whether Act 110 is eventually repealed or amended, it won't make much difference for most drug users, who will only use drugs more carefully.
There is no end to the scourge of poison in the United States.
According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States is the world's largest consumer of drugs, with about 60% of global drugs flowing into the United States.
Today, drug overdose deaths exceed those from ** and car accidents combined, making it one of the most serious public health problems in the United States.
Although the U.S. federal government has invested more than $1 trillion in the fight against drugs since the "war on drugs" was launched in the 70s, it has been proven that most of these funds have been used for law enforcement operations and have not had much effect on the spread and use of drugs.
In fact, whenever the U.S. economy is in trouble, it tends to adjust its attitude towards drugs:
On October 6, 2022, Biden announced an amnesty for criminals involved; Last May, Los Angeles, California**funded free distribution on the streets**; In June last year, Colorado achieved the first online sales; New York City celebrates April 20 as the day of legalization.
In addition to the traditional drug problem, the abuse of new drugs is also spreading.
In recent years, a drug called "xylazine" has become popular in several states in the United States. It is an animal sedative, but when added to drugs such as cocaine, it can enhance euphoria and cause a range of serious physical damage.
At the same time, the problem of opioid abuse is also very serious. Although the United States is only 5% of the global population, it consumes 80% of the world's opioids.
A study conducted by Stanford University and The Lancet warns that about 1.22 million Americans will die from opioid overdoses between 2020 and 2029 if no action is taken.
A report by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Studies, a US think tank, pointed out that the United States is to blame for the drug problem. The root cause of the drug epidemic involves many aspects such as politics, economy, society and culture, forming a systemic problem. This has made the drug problem in the United States worse and worse, and there seems to be no end in sight.