{"id":1972754,"date":"2023-07-14T04:19:02","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T08:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/portland-mayor-ted-wheeler-cant-get-his-story-straight-on-his-aimless-drug-policy-withdrawal\/"},"modified":"2023-07-14T04:21:47","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T08:21:47","slug":"portland-mayor-ted-wheeler-cant-get-his-story-straight-on-his-aimless-drug-policy-withdrawal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/portland-mayor-ted-wheeler-cant-get-his-story-straight-on-his-aimless-drug-policy-withdrawal\/","title":{"rendered":"Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler&#8217;s drug policy withdrawal lacks clarity."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fportland-mayor-ted-wheeler-cant-get-his-story-straight-on-his-aimless-drug-policy-withdrawal%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1972754&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>A few weeks ago, the mayor of Portland, Oregon, Ted Wheeler, made a stand on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/radical-san-francisco-d-a-chesa-boudin-opposes-mayors-crackdown-on-crime\/\" title=\"Radical San Francisco D.A. Chesa Boudin Opposes Mayor's Crackdown on Crime\">open-air drug abuse<\/a> in the city. He had had <em>enough<\/em> \u2014 it was time for <em>action<\/em>! Wheeler <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koin.com\/news\/portland\/standing-around-in-broad-daylight-wheeler-proposing-public-drug-use-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced<\/a> he would force the city council to vote on an ordinance banning the consumption of illicit substances \u2014 including fentanyl \u2014 on Portland\u2019s blighted streets. Finally, Portland was ready to fight back.<\/p>\n<p>Wheeler withdrew his proposal five days later without a vote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2-long d-flex justify-content-center\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-1546977252\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1379703300879-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-8f47ffb4d1e2574fcd527b1c5b742a85 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-8f47ffb4d1e2574fcd527b1c5b742a85\"><\/div>\n<p>Of course, Wheeler\u2019s office claimed he withdrew the proposed ordinance due to a state bill forwarded to the desk of Democrat Gov. Tina Kotek that would have accomplished the same goals. <\/p>\n<p>Then again, the threat of lawsuits and running afoul of existing state law may also have had something to do with it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The proposed ordinance would have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koin.com\/news\/portland\/standing-around-in-broad-daylight-wheeler-proposing-public-drug-use-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">updated city code to include<\/a> \u201cconsumption of a controlled substance\u201d to its existing ban on public consumption of alcohol. By banning consumption, and not possession, Wheeler had hoped his proposal would not face a challenge under <a href=\"http:\/\/sos.oregon.gov\/admin\/Documents\/irr\/2020\/044text.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Measure<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/sos.oregon.gov\/admin\/Documents\/irr\/2020\/044text.pdf\"> 110<\/a>, the statewide constitutional amendment passed in 2021 that decriminalized the possession of illicit street drugs such as cocaine, meth, and fentanyl.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The not-so-shocking result of Measure 110 has been that overdoses, rates of addiction, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-promotes-program-focused-on-dismantling-racism-in-mathematics-says-finding-the-right-answer-a-sign-of-white-supremacy\/\" title=\"Oregon Promotes Program Focused On \u2018Dismantling Racism In Mathematics,\u201d Says Finding The Right Answer A Sign Of White Supremacy\">mental health crises<\/a> have skyrocketed, while the intended incentives in the measure for users to seek treatment have gone virtually completely ignored. <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-122b2b3f86d1a935a5303f924cbbc9fe fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-6\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-122b2b3f86d1a935a5303f924cbbc9fe\"><\/div>\n<p>Patrick Fletchall <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2023\/04\/11\/how-decriminalizing-drugs-sent-oregon-to-rock-bottom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recently wrote a great breakdown<\/a> of the results of Measure 110 in The Federalist. He notes Wheeler\u2019s history of taking bold stands that he later comes to regret \u2014 particularly in terms of backing the \u201cdefund the police\u201d movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Measure 110 was not the only legal hurdle Wheeler faced, which may be why he withdrew the proposal. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koin.com\/news\/portland\/wheeler-withdraws-public-drug-use-proposal-after-legislature-passes-fentanyl-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claimed<\/a> a pending bill, <a href=\"http:\/\/olis.oregonlegislature.gov\/liz\/2023R1\/Downloads\/MeasureDocument\/HB2645\/Introduced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">House Bill 2645<\/a>, made his proposal unnecessary. The bill, which <a href=\"https:\/\/fastdemocracy.com\/bill-search\/or\/2023\/bills\/ORB00016385\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passed<\/a> the state legislature on June 22, still sits on Kotek\u2019s desk awaiting signature.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As has become his habit, Wheeler spoke out of both sides of his mouth. He blamed everything from the Republican walkout to deny the state Senate quorum, to staffing levels at the Portland Police Bureau, to a \u201cloophole\u201d in Measure 110. In praising the passage of the \u201chigh priority for Portland\u201d<strong> <\/strong>HB 2645, Wheeler gave a strong impression of retconning (retroactively conditioning) his excuse for withdrawing his ordinance before the council vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Wheeler <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koin.com\/news\/portland\/wheeler-withdraws-public-drug-use-proposal-after-legislature-passes-fentanyl-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">talked tough<\/a> about his proposal:<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-7c72fc76dab0526e5c1a9dd276aed1a2 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-10\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-7c72fc76dab0526e5c1a9dd276aed1a2\"><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>The mayor claimed that he was willing to take challenges to his ordinance to court adding, \u2018I planned to propose an amendment to City Code in Portland that would prohibit the consumption of a controlled substance in public spaces, hoping to address a loophole in Measure 110. This ordinance would have undoubtedly been challenged because of a state statute potentially limiting the authority of local governments to create laws regarding the public use of drugs. Nonetheless, I was willing to take that fight to the courts, if necessary.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Did you catch that last bit? State law forbids cities from taking the action Wheeler proposed. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opb.org\/article\/2023\/06\/27\/portland-oregon-drug-law-city-measure-110-public-ban-ted-wheeler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reported<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cUse of illicit drugs in public spaces \u2014 especially dangerous and highly deadly substances like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/portland-mayor-ted-wheeler-cant-get-his-story-straight-on-his-aimless-drug-policy-withdrawal\/\" title=\"Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's drug policy withdrawal lacks clarity.\">fentanyl \u2014 create significant public safety<\/a> and public health issues in Portland,\u201d Wheeler said Tuesday. \u201cWhile Measure 110 has challenged the way cities across the state address drug use, I believe the City of Portland has an obligation to do what we can to protect our community now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An older state law bars the city from creating its own ban. The <a href=\"https:\/\/oregon.public.law\/statutes\/ors_430.402\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">decades-old law<\/a> explicitly states that \u201ca political subdivision in this state shall not adopt or enforce any local law or regulation\u201d that makes \u201cusing cannabis or controlled substances in public\u201d a crime.<\/p>\n<p>OPB asked Wheeler\u2019s office Thursday how his proposed ban would be allowed under the state law. On Friday evening, a spokesperson for the mayor wrote that \u201cthis statute is on our radar\u2026 We are working to determine the best mechanism to bring clarity around how this statute interacts with more recent state statutes related to cannabis and controlled substances.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>At this juncture, readers will undoubtedly note that it took the mayor\u2019s office three days to address the conflict with existing state law. Then, by the fifth day, they found the HB 2645 excuse and announced the withdrawal of the proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As OPB reported, HB 2645 does not criminalize the possession \u2014 <em>or consumption<\/em> \u2014 of small amounts of fentanyl. Wheeler also blames state law for not providing cities with the tools to crack down on drug use on city streets. He gives <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koin.com\/news\/portland\/wheeler-withdraws-public-drug-use-proposal-after-legislature-passes-fentanyl-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vague assurances<\/a> that HB 2645, if signed, will \u201cpositively impact the City of Portland by expanding local law enforcement\u2019s abilities to make Portland safer and healthier.\u201d Yet, OPB reports:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>Fentanyl overdose deaths have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opb.org\/article\/2023\/05\/30\/oregon-worsening-drug-crisis-fentanyl-overdoses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">skyrocketed in Oregon<\/a>, and across the country, in recent years as the drug has become cheaper and more accessible. This increase has coincided with the rollout of Measure 110, which gives people the option of receiving a fine or calling a hotline to be screened for substance abuse disorder if they\u2019re stopped for using drugs in public. Portland police have been slow to enforce this new law in comparison to other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-governor-encourages-people-to-call-police-on-neighbors-violating-covid-orders\/\" title=\"Oregon Governor Encourages People To Call Police On Neighbors Violating COVID Orders\">law enforcement agencies<\/a>. Portland police have issued less than 500 citations for drug possession under Measure 110 since February 2021.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>That failure to enforce has exactly nothing to do with state law. It has everything to do with city policy calling for the defunding of police and redirecting resources over which it has exclusive control, along with drug users having no reason to want to take advantage of treatment plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This is an all-too-familiar pattern for Wheeler: Say all the stuff the radical activists say, like ending the war on drugs and defunding the police. Then cast about for others to blame when those policies lead to the rotting out of the downtown Portland core and leave streets teeming with homeless and drug-addicted zombies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-d85511295e4f99b9ecf974e4cb77e83a fdrlst__b89e9-after-post-content\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-d85511295e4f99b9ecf974e4cb77e83a\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">    \t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A few weeks ago, Portland&#8217;s mayor, Ted Wheeler, took a firm stance against open-air drug abuse. Fed up, he declared it was time for action! Wheeler vowed to push for a city council vote on an ordinance prohibiting the use of illicit substances, including fentanyl, in public spaces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2125,"featured_media":1972755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1972754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1972754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1972754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1972754\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1972755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1972754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1972754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1972754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}