The deadly consequences of the Democratic Party’s drug policies were nowhere to be seen on ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today, on Wednesday, after the Democratic-controlled state of Oregon issued a state of emergency for Portland’s out-of-control fentanyl crisis. And while the order was reported on CBS Mornings, correspondent Adam Yamaguchi omitted which political party was responsible for the pro-drug law that has caused overdose deaths to skyrocket.
“The governor of Oregon has declared an emergency for the city of Portland just a few years after it became the first state in the nation to largely decriminalize drug use. Very interesting story here,” announced co-anchor Tony Dokoupil. “There had been hope that a more humane approach could help curb addiction overall, but it hasn`t worked out that way, at least so far.”
Yamaguchi gawked that, “The state of Oregon appears to be taking a new approach in addressing the opioid crisis plaguing its largest city.” Instead of repealing Measure 110, the law that decriminalized drugs in Oregon, they were just telling their Emergency and Health departments to work together and weren’t even throwing money at it:
The 90-day emergency order for fentanyl use issued by the Governor establishes a command center and more coordination between Emergency Management and Health Services. However, it does not include additional funding. The goal is to give the city`s residents a chance against the extremely addictive opioid.
“Oregon paved the way as the first state to decriminalize drug use passing Measure 110 in 2020. Instead of incarcerating addicts, it focuses on addiction recovery,” Yamaguchi touted the deadly law.
Unlike his original report on Portland’s spiraling drug problems back in December, Yamaguchi actually admitted: “[I]n the years since Measure 110 was passed, overdose deaths have continued to rise,” which was “prompting local leaders to call for more than just the emergency order, but the re-criminalization of drug use.”
Despite those deaths continuing to rise, and no one being against getting addicts help, Yamaguchi still tried to pitch keeping Measure 110 around:
YAMAGUCHI: Ebony Brawley doesn`t want to see Oregon`s law repealed. The Portland resident says it helped her avoid prison and turn her life around.
EBONY BRAWLEY: Because of Measure 110, I was able to change my story and break those chains, you know, and provide a life for myself and for my daughter that she probably wouldn`t have had otherwise.
Even the stats from the Oregon Health Authority proved just how deadly the Democratic policy was. According to them, “unintentional opioid overdose deaths” were at 472 in 2020. They jumped up to 737 the following year, and again in 2022 to 955.
The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
CBS Mornings
January 31, 2024
7:11:00 a.m. EasternTONY DOKOUPIL: The governor of Oregon has declared an emergency for the city of Portland just a few years after it became the first state in the nation to largely decriminalize drug use. Very interesting story here.
There had been hope that a more humane approach could help curb addiction overall, but it hasn`t worked out that way, at least so far.
Adam Yamaguchi of CBS Reports shows us that many people are running out of patience.
[Cuts to video]
GOV. TINA KOTEK (D-OR): The state, the county, and city declare a fentanyl state of emergency.
ADAM YAMAGUCHI: The state of Oregon appears to be taking a new approach in addressing the opioid crisis plaguing its largest city.
The 90-day emergency order for fentanyl use issued by the Governor establishes a command center and more coordination between Emergency Management and Health Services. However, it does not include additional funding. The goal is to give the city`s residents a chance against the extremely addictive opioid.
KOTEK: It is a drug that compels users to re-dose every 45 to 90-minutes. People in the throes of fentanyl addiction can hardly walk into a clinic without having to use again.
OFFICER: Everyone has Narcan?
YAMAGUCHI: Oregon paved the way as the first state to decriminalize drug use passing Measure 110 in 2020. Instead of incarcerating addicts, it focuses on addiction recovery.
DAVID BAER (Portland Police officer): You`re going to call one of these numbers.
YAMAGUCHI: We were with Portland Police last year as they handed out citations to fentanyl users in the street.
BAER: My full time job is fentanyl and basically all roads lead to fentanyl in downtown Portland.
YAMAGUCHI: But in the years since Measure 110 was passed, overdose deaths have continued to rise, prompting local leaders to call for more than just the emergency order, but the re-criminalization of drug use.
KEVIN BARTON (Washington County district attorney): We`ve had three years of this law that has not delivered on the promise that voters thought they were getting.
YAMAGUCHI: Ebony Brawley doesn`t want to see Oregon`s law repealed. The Portland resident says it helped her avoid prison and turn her life around.
EBONY BRAWLEY (Recovered from fentanyl addiction): Because of Measure 110, I was able to change my story and break those chains, you know and provide a life for myself and for my daughter that she probably wouldn`t have had otherwise.
YAMAGUCHI: For CBS Mornings, I`m Adam Yamaguchi.
