Is this a step toward legalization?? Biden to pardon pot offenses.

[neurosis]

Personally I wouldn't start doing drugs just because they were decriminalized.

I can't help but wonder if the decriminalization laws attracts more drug addicts to that area?  That would explain the rise in both overdoses and crime rate.

[BrianP.]

I'm not sure what's happening in Portland but a half ass measure like decriminalization without legalizing and regulating drugs isn't going to remove the criminal element from the equation.

I don't see why overdose deaths should go up unless they just happen to have a more dangerous mix of illicit drugs. Personally I wouldn't start doing drugs just because they were decriminalized.

Don't know what the answer is Larry. Maybe a combination of things. All or nothing either way, prosecute everything or ignore everything, doesn't seem to work. The only thing I know for sure is addiction is a horrible thing that affects people from all walks of life and all socioeconomic backgrounds.

[Smit]

I can't help but wonder if the decriminalization laws attracts more drug addicts to that area?  That would explain the rise in both overdoses and crime rate.

That very well could be. 

[BrianP.]

I can't help but wonder if the decriminalization laws attracts more drug addicts to that area?  That would explain the rise in both overdoses and crime rate.

I'm sure there is some of that just as probably there are some who maybe got something from a doctor and liked it and because it was easy to find got hooked. You never can tell. The soccer mom who only has an occasional glass of wine gets pain meds for a tooth extraction or something and she loves it and ends up an addict.

[CNCAppsJames]

... I don't see why overdose deaths should go up ...

 Personally I wouldn't start doing drugs just because they were decriminalized.

You wouldn't, but A LOT of people would AND sadly, DO.

Once something is "decriminalized" the stigma against it is removed. Not overnight. So now, going to buy (insert whatever) is nearly as easy as going to the corner convenience store. You don't have to go to some seedy part of town anymore. You don't have to hide anymore. You just do as you want without fear of consequences.

[CNCAppsJames]

I can't help but wonder if the decriminalization laws attracts more drug addicts to that area?  That would explain the rise in both overdoses and crime rate.

I can attest to the destimatization of homlessness here in The People's Republik of Kommieforniastan has contributed to 30% of the nation's homeless population coming here.

Vote for Dems, get free shit. Vote for Dems, no need to get your life squared away. Vote for Dems, do as you please with no painful consequences because #Compassion.

The Dem's aren't exercising compassion, they are inflicting irreparable harm onto individuals and society as a whole. Compassion isn't letting people wallow in their shit. Compassion is kicking them in the proverbial ass to get their lives squared away. Compassion is helping them become better, more productive humans.