I think the Daily summed it up pretty well. Did you think it was a fair account? Perhaps criminalization shouldn't be the consequences, but I agree that Portland should have put the wrap around services in place before decriminalization, to decrease the prevalence of addiction to begin with and to treat it when it occurred. The other issue I see, is that it can't be done state-by-state. You keep mentioning Portugal, which has many, many states participating, correct? I feel like Portland provided an open invitation to everyone and anyone in other states to come on over; further taxing the limited resources we do have. Just like homelessness, it's something that needs to be dealt with more globally. It's sad that we didn't get much of this right when we had the opportunity. Without the infrastructure, resources, and emphasis on prevention we're back to dealing with the consequences; same old, same old.
Agreed, it is a sad failure. Portugal does have a nation-wide approach, so there is no issue of one place getting into a disadvantageous situation vs another state/province.
I think the Daily summed it up pretty well. Did you think it was a fair account? Perhaps criminalization shouldn't be the consequences, but I agree that Portland should have put the wrap around services in place before decriminalization, to decrease the prevalence of addiction to begin with and to treat it when it occurred. The other issue I see, is that it can't be done state-by-state. You keep mentioning Portugal, which has many, many states participating, correct? I feel like Portland provided an open invitation to everyone and anyone in other states to come on over; further taxing the limited resources we do have. Just like homelessness, it's something that needs to be dealt with more globally. It's sad that we didn't get much of this right when we had the opportunity. Without the infrastructure, resources, and emphasis on prevention we're back to dealing with the consequences; same old, same old.
Agreed, it is a sad failure. Portugal does have a nation-wide approach, so there is no issue of one place getting into a disadvantageous situation vs another state/province.