Understanding House Bill 4002 in Oregon

In a major shift in drug policy, Oregon passed House Bill 4002 (HB 4002) in 2024 to address the growing substance use crisis. Following mixed outcomes from Measure 110, this bill reintroduces criminal penalties for certain drug possession while emphasizing substance use treatment over traditional jail time. This hybrid approach reflects the state’s struggle to find effective solutions amid rising addiction rates, particularly involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

HB 4002 represents a pivotal step toward balancing accountability with compassion, and for treatment centers like Crestview Recovery in Portland, it underscores the need for expanded access to behavioral health services, outpatient and inpatient rehab, and long-term recovery resources.

What Was Measure 110?

To understand the context of HB 4002, it’s important to revisit Measure 110, passed by Oregon voters in 2020. Measure 110 decriminalized small amounts of hard drugs and redirected funding from marijuana taxes toward addiction treatment and recovery services. The aim was progressive: reduce incarceration, destigmatize addiction, and encourage voluntary treatment.

However, while well-intentioned, Measure 110 struggled in execution. Critics argued that it lacked enforcement and failed to provide immediate access to adequate substance use treatment options. Portland and other cities in Oregon saw spikes in public drug use, overdoses, and homelessness, prompting concern from law enforcement, community leaders, and healthcare providers.

The lack of infrastructure meant that many individuals cited under Measure 110 never connected with substance use treatment programs. Without judicial pressure or systematized referrals, the promise of rehabilitation remained out of reach for many. The state also faced challenges in deploying the revenue from marijuana taxes quickly enough to meet the growing demand for services.

What Does House Bill 4002 Include?

HB 4002 introduces a rebalanced approach to drug possession and addiction response. Here’s what the bill entails:

  • Reclassifies Possession as a Crime: Reintroduces criminal penalties (Class C misdemeanor) for possessing small amounts of drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, and meth.
  • Treatment First Mandate: Police must offer a treatment diversion option before making an arrest. Individuals can avoid charges by entering and completing treatment.
  • Expanded Court Diversion Programs: Courts are encouraged to offer conditional discharge options, clearing charges for those who comply with treatment requirements.
  • Stronger Community-Based Behavioral Health Resources: Funding will be used to expand behavioral health centers, including outpatient programs.
  • New Sanctions for Repeat Offenders: The bill includes accountability measures for those who refuse treatment, including short jail terms for repeat violations.

Importantly, HB 4002 isn’t designed to return to the failed War on Drugs era. Instead, it uses criminal penalties as a gateway to meaningful care. Advocates argue that combining judicial leverage with robust substance use recovery systems can break the cycle of addiction more effectively than punishment or decriminalization alone.

Why the Shift Matters: Addiction is a Health Crisis, Not a Moral Failure

Oregon’s adoption of HB 4002 reflects a growing consensus: addiction is a disease, not a criminal identity. This bill reaffirms the importance of engaging drug users in substance use or dual diagnosis treatment, not jail cells. Focusing solely on punishment has historically worsened outcomes, fueling cycles of relapse, homelessness, and overdose.

Instead, HB 4002 supports a continuum of care approach, connecting individuals to services like therapy programs, peer support, and sober living housing. By reducing barriers to access and creating legal incentives for recovery, Oregon is aligning its drug policy more closely with public health.

The state’s experience has shown that compassion and care, backed by accountability, are essential to long-term substance use recovery. As communities demand safer streets and better outcomes, this treatment-forward framework aims to strike a healthier balance between justice and healing.

Why Criminalization Alone Was Not the Answer

Before Measure 110, Oregon’s drug policies mirrored the broader national trend of criminalization. Individuals caught with even small quantities of hard drugs, like heroin, often faced jail time, fines, and permanent records that limited future employment and housing options. These outcomes disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income individuals, often leading to cycles of recidivism.

Measure 110 was an attempt to correct these systemic failures, but without adequate funding and support services in place, the decriminalization strategy quickly showed its cracks. With HB 4002, lawmakers are trying to correct course without returning to the ineffective, punitive models of the past.

This reimagined approach seeks to avoid unnecessary incarceration while still providing structure and follow-through for people battling addiction and substance abuse. By treating drug use as both a behavioral health issue and a public safety concern, Oregon hopes to pioneer a middle ground that other states can follow.

The Role of Crestview Recovery in Portland’s Addiction Response

a man in therapy for addiction and mental health

As HB 4002 is implemented across the state, treatment centers like Crestview Recovery will play a critical role in ensuring that individuals referred by police or courts receive timely, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Located in Portland, Crestview offers both inpatient and outpatient services tailored to the unique needs of those struggling with addiction and co-occurring behavioral health disorders.

Inpatient Treatment at Crestview Recovery

For individuals in crisis or those requiring a structured healing environment, Crestview’s residential program offers intensive support, including:

This type of care is essential for individuals needing to eliminate potent substances like fentanyl or meth, or alcohol which can be deadly and usually have severe withdrawal symptoms and high relapse risk.

Outpatient Treatment and Community Reintegration

Crestview also offers Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), which provide flexible substance use treatment options while allowing clients to live at home or in sober living programs. These programs are ideal for individuals referred under HB 4002’s diversion system.

Outpatient services at Crestview include:

  • Regular therapy sessions and medication management
  • Life skills coaching and relapse prevention
  • Family therapy and support
  • Career, school, and housing support resources

This continuum of care enables clients to reintegrate into society while maintaining accountability and continued, lasting recovery.

Supporting Family and Community Healing

Addiction doesn’t just affect individuals, it impacts families and entire communities. One of the overlooked aspects of treatment legislation like HB 4002 is the potential for community-wide healing. When someone receives effective substance use treatment and support, the ripple effects include reduced crime, stronger family units, and a healthier local economy.

Crestview Recovery recognizes the importance of including families in the healing process. Through family therapy, educational workshops, and support groups, loved ones gain the tools they need to support recovery, set boundaries, and foster long-term connection.

Addressing the Workforce Shortage in Behavioral Health

As Oregon ramps up its treatment-based approach, it also faces a challenge: a shortage of qualified behavioral health professionals. To make HB 4002 successful, the state must invest in workforce development, including training programs, loan forgiveness for social workers and addiction counselors, and better wages to attract talent.

Crestview Recovery has already taken steps to recruit and retain dedicated, credentialed staff. By maintaining a high standard of care, the facility is prepared to meet the needs of clients entering through the new diversion programs.

Building a Brighter Future Through Recovery

a man smiling in therapy for behavioral health

Crestview’s mission goes beyond short-term stabilization. By offering comprehensive addiction and behavioral health services under one roof, the center provides a platform for individuals to rebuild their lives with the resources, dignity, and clinical guidance they deserve.

HB 4002 represents a hopeful turning point: a chance to repair the missteps of Measure 110 and ensure that treatment becomes the first and best option for those suffering from substance use disorders.

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, Crestview Recovery stands ready to help you take that first step toward lasting recovery.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

Addiction doesn’t define you, and with the right support, recovery is possible. If you or someone you love has been impacted by substance use or is facing legal trouble due to drug possession in Portland, Crestview Recovery can help.

Contact us today to learn about our inpatient and outpatient programs and mental health support services. Our compassionate team will walk with you every step of the way.

Accessibility Toolbar

CALL NOW (866)262-0531

House Bill 4002 in Oregon: A Turning Point for Drug Addiction and Behavioral Health Treatment

a man shaking hands about treatment

Jun 9, 2025

Drug Addiction

Understanding House Bill 4002 in Oregon

In a major shift in drug policy, Oregon passed House Bill 4002 (HB 4002) in 2024 to address the growing substance use crisis. Following mixed outcomes from Measure 110, this bill reintroduces criminal penalties for certain drug possession while emphasizing substance use treatment over traditional jail time. This hybrid approach reflects the state’s struggle to find effective solutions amid rising addiction rates, particularly involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

HB 4002 represents a pivotal step toward balancing accountability with compassion, and for treatment centers like Crestview Recovery in Portland, it underscores the need for expanded access to behavioral health services, outpatient and inpatient rehab, and long-term recovery resources.

What Was Measure 110?

To understand the context of HB 4002, it’s important to revisit Measure 110, passed by Oregon voters in 2020. Measure 110 decriminalized small amounts of hard drugs and redirected funding from marijuana taxes toward addiction treatment and recovery services. The aim was progressive: reduce incarceration, destigmatize addiction, and encourage voluntary treatment.

However, while well-intentioned, Measure 110 struggled in execution. Critics argued that it lacked enforcement and failed to provide immediate access to adequate substance use treatment options. Portland and other cities in Oregon saw spikes in public drug use, overdoses, and homelessness, prompting concern from law enforcement, community leaders, and healthcare providers.

The lack of infrastructure meant that many individuals cited under Measure 110 never connected with substance use treatment programs. Without judicial pressure or systematized referrals, the promise of rehabilitation remained out of reach for many. The state also faced challenges in deploying the revenue from marijuana taxes quickly enough to meet the growing demand for services.

What Does House Bill 4002 Include?

HB 4002 introduces a rebalanced approach to drug possession and addiction response. Here's what the bill entails:

  • Reclassifies Possession as a Crime: Reintroduces criminal penalties (Class C misdemeanor) for possessing small amounts of drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, and meth.
  • Treatment First Mandate: Police must offer a treatment diversion option before making an arrest. Individuals can avoid charges by entering and completing treatment.
  • Expanded Court Diversion Programs: Courts are encouraged to offer conditional discharge options, clearing charges for those who comply with treatment requirements.
  • Stronger Community-Based Behavioral Health Resources: Funding will be used to expand behavioral health centers, including outpatient programs.
  • New Sanctions for Repeat Offenders: The bill includes accountability measures for those who refuse treatment, including short jail terms for repeat violations.

Importantly, HB 4002 isn’t designed to return to the failed War on Drugs era. Instead, it uses criminal penalties as a gateway to meaningful care. Advocates argue that combining judicial leverage with robust substance use recovery systems can break the cycle of addiction more effectively than punishment or decriminalization alone.

Why the Shift Matters: Addiction is a Health Crisis, Not a Moral Failure

Oregon’s adoption of HB 4002 reflects a growing consensus: addiction is a disease, not a criminal identity. This bill reaffirms the importance of engaging drug users in substance use or dual diagnosis treatment, not jail cells. Focusing solely on punishment has historically worsened outcomes, fueling cycles of relapse, homelessness, and overdose.

Instead, HB 4002 supports a continuum of care approach, connecting individuals to services like therapy programs, peer support, and sober living housing. By reducing barriers to access and creating legal incentives for recovery, Oregon is aligning its drug policy more closely with public health.

The state’s experience has shown that compassion and care, backed by accountability, are essential to long-term substance use recovery. As communities demand safer streets and better outcomes, this treatment-forward framework aims to strike a healthier balance between justice and healing.

Why Criminalization Alone Was Not the Answer

Before Measure 110, Oregon’s drug policies mirrored the broader national trend of criminalization. Individuals caught with even small quantities of hard drugs, like heroin, often faced jail time, fines, and permanent records that limited future employment and housing options. These outcomes disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income individuals, often leading to cycles of recidivism.

Measure 110 was an attempt to correct these systemic failures, but without adequate funding and support services in place, the decriminalization strategy quickly showed its cracks. With HB 4002, lawmakers are trying to correct course without returning to the ineffective, punitive models of the past.

This reimagined approach seeks to avoid unnecessary incarceration while still providing structure and follow-through for people battling addiction and substance abuse. By treating drug use as both a behavioral health issue and a public safety concern, Oregon hopes to pioneer a middle ground that other states can follow.

The Role of Crestview Recovery in Portland’s Addiction Response

a man in therapy for addiction and mental health

As HB 4002 is implemented across the state, treatment centers like Crestview Recovery will play a critical role in ensuring that individuals referred by police or courts receive timely, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Located in Portland, Crestview offers both inpatient and outpatient services tailored to the unique needs of those struggling with addiction and co-occurring behavioral health disorders.

Inpatient Treatment at Crestview Recovery

For individuals in crisis or those requiring a structured healing environment, Crestview's residential program offers intensive support, including:

This type of care is essential for individuals needing to eliminate potent substances like fentanyl or meth, or alcohol which can be deadly and usually have severe withdrawal symptoms and high relapse risk.

Outpatient Treatment and Community Reintegration

Crestview also offers Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), which provide flexible substance use treatment options while allowing clients to live at home or in sober living programs. These programs are ideal for individuals referred under HB 4002’s diversion system.

Outpatient services at Crestview include:

  • Regular therapy sessions and medication management
  • Life skills coaching and relapse prevention
  • Family therapy and support
  • Career, school, and housing support resources

This continuum of care enables clients to reintegrate into society while maintaining accountability and continued, lasting recovery.

Supporting Family and Community Healing

Addiction doesn't just affect individuals, it impacts families and entire communities. One of the overlooked aspects of treatment legislation like HB 4002 is the potential for community-wide healing. When someone receives effective substance use treatment and support, the ripple effects include reduced crime, stronger family units, and a healthier local economy.

Crestview Recovery recognizes the importance of including families in the healing process. Through family therapy, educational workshops, and support groups, loved ones gain the tools they need to support recovery, set boundaries, and foster long-term connection.

Addressing the Workforce Shortage in Behavioral Health

As Oregon ramps up its treatment-based approach, it also faces a challenge: a shortage of qualified behavioral health professionals. To make HB 4002 successful, the state must invest in workforce development, including training programs, loan forgiveness for social workers and addiction counselors, and better wages to attract talent.

Crestview Recovery has already taken steps to recruit and retain dedicated, credentialed staff. By maintaining a high standard of care, the facility is prepared to meet the needs of clients entering through the new diversion programs.

Building a Brighter Future Through Recovery

a man smiling in therapy for behavioral health

Crestview’s mission goes beyond short-term stabilization. By offering comprehensive addiction and behavioral health services under one roof, the center provides a platform for individuals to rebuild their lives with the resources, dignity, and clinical guidance they deserve.

HB 4002 represents a hopeful turning point: a chance to repair the missteps of Measure 110 and ensure that treatment becomes the first and best option for those suffering from substance use disorders.

Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, Crestview Recovery stands ready to help you take that first step toward lasting recovery.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

Addiction doesn’t define you, and with the right support, recovery is possible. If you or someone you love has been impacted by substance use or is facing legal trouble due to drug possession in Portland, Crestview Recovery can help.

Contact us today to learn about our inpatient and outpatient programs and mental health support services. Our compassionate team will walk with you every step of the way.

Table of Contents

← Table of Contents
Scroll to Top