Oregon: drug possession to be a crime again as decriminalization law expires

First-in-nation trial comes to an end, as new law gives those caught with hard drugs option of charges or treatment

Oregon's first-in-the-nation experiment with decriminalizing drugs will expire on Sunday as a new law taking effect will once again make it a crime to possess small amounts of hard drugs.

The new recriminalization law, HB4002, will give those caught with illicit drugs - including fentanyl, heroin and meth - the choice to either be charged with possession or treatment, which includes completing a behavioral health program and participating in a deflection program" to avoid fines.