It is unfathomable to me why Sen. Reynolds wouldn’t work with her constituents to keep needle distribution- and related drug use and dealing away from schools.
Of course she also supported legislation to weaken campaign finance reform and to make it easier for city councilors to have secret meetings.
“To hell with politics, just do what’s right for Portland!”
I’m not sure I believe Reynolds actually wanted a solution. If she did, why did she allow a conservative Republican state senator from Canby to sponsor the bill?
There is a very simple solution to this problem. Handing out harm-reduction supplies (drug paraphernalia) is a form of public health activity, so a straightforward approach would be to require county health departments to approve acceptable sites where volunteers can distribute these supplies. In addition, the county should ensure that all volunteers receive basic training (and pass a knowledge test) and pass a background check.
PPOP would likely never agree to operate within a system they view as oppressive, but such a framework would at least give the county and the city the tools to regulate—or shut down—these distribution sites if necessary. It seems if PPOP is motivated to help addicts, they should be willing to work within a regulated system.
In reality, we can be fairly confident that Reynolds, the city, and the county do not want to stop PPOP's efforts. Good luck in your efforts to gather votes—it’s a good way to send a message to Reynolds. As much as I hate to admit, I'm planning to vote for Drazen in the Governors race, it's becoming clear that one party rule is not working for regular Oregonians.
Why run to lose? We need representation that represents us - run to win! No more Reynolds. No more lying. No more ridiculous theoretical nonsense at the expense of the health and safety of our children, our communities, our sense of peace and calm. NO MORE REYNOLDS. Full stop.
Yes to Autumn Sharp for the Oregon Senate. This single issue will be a winner for voters and for Portlanders. I am posting on substack weekly about this issue
If we really were concerned about public health, we would be doing needle exchange and provide save injection sites with Narcan available and registration and heath checks. If we really cared about addicts, especially those living on the streets, we would offer immediately accessible detox followed by sober supportive housing aimed at recovery. Nothing we are doing today is aimed at solving addiction or public health or getting those with psychosis stabilized, or promoting public safety but we are spending millions and we do have many non profits competing for funds to do something related to the problem we all see from a different perspective. Who are the winners and losers of the current status quo? Not the general public. Not the homeless addicts. Not taxpayers. Not the school children. So is benefiting?
Yes Autumn! Thanks for continually standing up for the community. And who knows, you might win! Reynolds shutting down the needle bill is highly unpopular and should’ve been a common sense bill that passed unanimously. It shows our politicians continue to put ideology and campaign donations over the safety of children and the community. Drug addicts “needs” should not come before children’s needs.
PPOP is also ineffective. There is no treatment offered, no disease testing or tacking, and no requirement for needle exchanges. If PPOP thinks exchanging needles lacks equity, they should at the very least be picking up the biohazards they help create. Not offering recovery also sends the message to addicts that this is all their worth. That recovery isn’t possible for some people so we should just hand them needles. This is misguided.
Please consider voting Reynolds OUT!
It is unfathomable to me why Sen. Reynolds wouldn’t work with her constituents to keep needle distribution- and related drug use and dealing away from schools.
Of course she also supported legislation to weaken campaign finance reform and to make it easier for city councilors to have secret meetings.
“To hell with politics, just do what’s right for Portland!”
I’m not sure I believe Reynolds actually wanted a solution. If she did, why did she allow a conservative Republican state senator from Canby to sponsor the bill?
There is a very simple solution to this problem. Handing out harm-reduction supplies (drug paraphernalia) is a form of public health activity, so a straightforward approach would be to require county health departments to approve acceptable sites where volunteers can distribute these supplies. In addition, the county should ensure that all volunteers receive basic training (and pass a knowledge test) and pass a background check.
PPOP would likely never agree to operate within a system they view as oppressive, but such a framework would at least give the county and the city the tools to regulate—or shut down—these distribution sites if necessary. It seems if PPOP is motivated to help addicts, they should be willing to work within a regulated system.
In reality, we can be fairly confident that Reynolds, the city, and the county do not want to stop PPOP's efforts. Good luck in your efforts to gather votes—it’s a good way to send a message to Reynolds. As much as I hate to admit, I'm planning to vote for Drazen in the Governors race, it's becoming clear that one party rule is not working for regular Oregonians.
Why run to lose? We need representation that represents us - run to win! No more Reynolds. No more lying. No more ridiculous theoretical nonsense at the expense of the health and safety of our children, our communities, our sense of peace and calm. NO MORE REYNOLDS. Full stop.
Yes to Autumn Sharp for the Oregon Senate. This single issue will be a winner for voters and for Portlanders. I am posting on substack weekly about this issue
If we really were concerned about public health, we would be doing needle exchange and provide save injection sites with Narcan available and registration and heath checks. If we really cared about addicts, especially those living on the streets, we would offer immediately accessible detox followed by sober supportive housing aimed at recovery. Nothing we are doing today is aimed at solving addiction or public health or getting those with psychosis stabilized, or promoting public safety but we are spending millions and we do have many non profits competing for funds to do something related to the problem we all see from a different perspective. Who are the winners and losers of the current status quo? Not the general public. Not the homeless addicts. Not taxpayers. Not the school children. So is benefiting?
Follow the money or the motive.
Ms. Sharpe, If you launch a campaign, I will happily contribute to it.
Yes Autumn! Thanks for continually standing up for the community. And who knows, you might win! Reynolds shutting down the needle bill is highly unpopular and should’ve been a common sense bill that passed unanimously. It shows our politicians continue to put ideology and campaign donations over the safety of children and the community. Drug addicts “needs” should not come before children’s needs.
PPOP is also ineffective. There is no treatment offered, no disease testing or tacking, and no requirement for needle exchanges. If PPOP thinks exchanging needles lacks equity, they should at the very least be picking up the biohazards they help create. Not offering recovery also sends the message to addicts that this is all their worth. That recovery isn’t possible for some people so we should just hand them needles. This is misguided.