JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Seven months after the passage of House Bill 4002, which recriminalized the possession of hard drugs and reversed the effects of Measure 110, Jackson County officials are reporting progress in both law enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.
Sheriff Nate Sickler of Jackson County expressed cautious optimism regarding the law’s impact, noting that the county has become one of the most active in the state for drug-related arrests. Since the law took effect last September, the county has recorded more than 800 arrests for misdemeanor drug possession.
“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Sheriff Sickler said in an interview. “Our efforts are showing results.”
In addition to the enforcement aspect, Jackson County has introduced a deflection program aimed at providing individuals arrested for drug possession with an opportunity to pursue treatment rather than face jail time. To date, 76 individuals have been offered the chance to enter the deflection program, with roughly 50% of participants showing success.
Sheriff Sickler added that of the arrests made, only around 50 were repeat offenders, a statistic he views as a positive sign.
When House Bill 4002 was first introduced, Sickler expressed concerns about the law’s ability to enforce lasting behavioral change due to what he described as a lack of “teeth” in its provisions. However, the sheriff’s office now reports that the county has implemented several innovative programs, including offering medications for opioid use disorder to inmates. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to address addiction within the local correctional system.
Despite these advances, Sickler believes that more needs to be done to tackle the problem on a deeper level. “Deflection alone won’t solve the problem,” he said, acknowledging that the law’s leniency may require additional measures to ensure long-term success.
“We’re happy with the progress we’ve seen, but there’s more work to do,” Sickler explained.
While the sheriff’s department is encouraged by the improvements, the community’s assessment remains critical. Sheriff Sickler emphasized that the true measure of success lies in how residents perceive the changes. “If those who live and work in our area feel like progress is being made, then that’s the best judgment,” he said.
As Jackson County moves forward with its enforcement and rehabilitation efforts, local officials and residents alike will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the measures put in place to combat drug addiction. For now, Sheriff Sickler remains hopeful that the direction the county is heading in is one of improvement and positive change.