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The lead in to this show discusses how making the precursor chemicals to the manufacture of methamphetamine more difficult to obtain has led to a dramatic decline in meth-related crime.

Oregon took a non-law enforcement approach to dealing with the meth epidemic and it was effective!

Treating addiction as a criminal justice problem is not the solution. I'm disheartened to hear you refer to pot and alcohol as "gateway drugs." The best way to prevent addiction-driven crimes is by treating addiction as a public health problem rather than a criminal justice issue.

Take a look at how effectively Portugal's decriminalization of drugs has reduced crime in that country.

There is broad concensus that the "War on Drugs" has failed. Why in the world would Oregon law enforcement declare war on pot and alcohol, now?

posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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With property crime at an all time low, and our economy in the tank, legislators were smart to delay Measure 57 that would have created longer prison sentences. One can only hope that this year legislators will have the support and political courage to do so again.

Fear mongers like Kevin Mannix continue to push "tough-on-crime" ballot measures, fueled by the "if it bleeds, it leads" mantra of local news media - making our citizens believe that crime is rampant and they should spend more and more of their limited tax dollars on expanding the already exploding prison population.

Like Oregon did in 2005 in response to the meth epidemic, Oregon chose a more effective way of dealing with the problem by reducing the availability of substances used to manufacture meth and invest meaningful resources into drug treatment and drug courts which have proven to reduce recidivism and future crime. The reduction in Oregon's crime rate is indicative that those strategies have been successful.

We've clearly seen that Oregon can reduce crime more effectively and less expensively by investing in smart policies. Sinking hundreds of millions of dollars into prison spending is not being smart.

No disrespect to Mr. Foote, but the law of diminishing returns dictates that harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws passed in the mid-1990s have little impact on crime rates today.

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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@Gereng - Again...my sister and I are not contending for my parents' stuff! It is, in fact, the opposite! My parents have a 1500 square foot home, a 2-car garage, and two additional outbuildings - crammed with stuff! I just think it is selfish and ignorant of them to pretend they are never going to die and/or just assume they can leave their mess for their family to deal with when they do die. They don't even have advance directives on file.

I gave up trying to talk with my parents about planning for the future, thus am not nagging them. They are doing as they wish. They are pretending they are immortal and I am letting them live with that fantasy. My sister is unwilling to participate in any way in helping my parents with anything. That leaves me. I'm not expecting a happy solution, I asked only if anyone had any helpful advice. You obviously don't.

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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@Gereng - your comment displays your obvious bias against children, which I find extremely distasteful. The tension in our family is not that my only sister and I are in any kind of disagreement over 'who gets what.' I want nothing they have and have, in fact, suggested they sell the house and contents and spend whatever money they get on themselves while they can.

The situation I am experiencing is that my parents (who in addition to being in mid- to late-70s are also in extremely ill health) are in complete denial about their circumstances and plan to stay in their home, 3+ hours away from any family, and refuse to acknowledge that at some point, they will be unable to continue living independently. They plan to live in their now deteriorating manufactured home until they die and leave the job of disposing of their hoarded junk to their children. I think their lack of interest in planning for their future displays a total disregard for reality and much selfishness.

I've tried, unsuccessfully, to explain to them that they should take control and make decision while they are still able, rather than wait until circumstances force them into having to make drastic changes that they have not planned for.

It is a sad scenario and your sarcastic insinuation that the "brats" and "spawn" are arguing over my parents' meager possessions is insulting.

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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My 75 & 78 year old parents live in Ocean Park, WA (I live in Vancouver and work in Portland) and simply refuse to do ANYTHING to plan for the eventuality that they will be unable to take care of their large home and property by themselves. They do not have the kind of income that would allow them to hire help.

They have 20+ years accumulation of "stuff" and have a "make the kids deal with it after we die" attitude which is causing a great deal of tension in our family.

Do you have any suggestions for what we can do?

Thanks for this topic. It is very timely for me!

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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Yes, by all means, lets create PENAL COLONIES in other countries. Great idea.

posted 3 years, 8 months ago
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Measure 57 passed only because it contained funding for drug treatment. When is Oregon going to learn that incarceration without treatment is a losing proposition, both for the individual and for the taxpayers? Oregon should learn from the example of the very effective program federal Bureau of Prisons 500-hour Comprehensive Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP).

Individuals who completed RDAP were significantly less likely to recidivate and significantly less likely to relapse to drug use.

Come on Oregon! When are we going to get off this “tough on crime” path – it’s clear in today’s budget climate that we have to get smart on crime and increase funding for treatment – not only to save the lives of individuals but to spend our limited tax dollars wisely.

posted 4 years ago
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I think what Paul meant to say is that Measure 57 is presented by our elected representatives in Salem.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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I was an ID theft victim. Somebody spent over $1000 on my credit card--and we never caught them. The other thing I know is that most ID theft is linked to meth addiction. It seems pretty common sense to me that we would put these people in treatment as well as prison--only Measure 57 does that.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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Another bad idea brought to you by Kevin Mannix and Loren Parks! Mannix's obsession with law enforcement and criminal justice measures which gut funding for education and other important services for our citizens demonstrates just how single-minded and myopic he is.

Two-thirds of lottery funds now go to education. This measure would take $159 million from an educational system already teetering on the edge; resulting in cuts to other needs and more cuts to teachers, books, and school repairs. This measure would limit our flexibility to use lottery funds as needed and seriously undermine public education.

Oregon cannot afford to devastate our educational system in this way!

posted 4 years, 8 months ago
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