In February 2021, Oregon became the first state in America to decriminalise the possession (of a small amount) of drugs. A few months ago, I visited Portland and Salem, the capital, to see how the experiment in drug policy is going.
The reporting was used across The Economist’s channels: as an episode of Checks and Balance, as a reported piece in the US section and as leader, offering lessons to be learned.
United States: Oregon’s drug decriminalisation has had a troubled start–The state was the first in America to try it—and its experience holds lessons for others
Leaders: Oregon botches the decriminalisation of drugs–It failed to prepare the ground