Full Measure After Hours: After Hours – Hard Drugs; Soft on Crime

Host: Sharyl Attkisson
Release Date: February 13, 2025

Introduction: Oregon's Controversial Drug Legislation

In the February 13, 2025 episode of Full Measure After Hours, host Sharyl Attkisson delves into Oregon's ambitious yet contentious attempt to address the state's drug crisis by legalizing hard drugs. The episode, titled "Hard Drugs; Soft on Crime," explores the ramifications of this bold policy shift and its subsequent reversal.

1. The Experiment with Legalizing Hard Drugs

Oregon's venture into legalizing hard substances such as heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids was initiated through a ballot measure approved by voters. This move, intended to mitigate the opioid crisis, instead led to significant societal upheaval.

Sharyl Attkisson (00:04): "Oregon is attempting a big turnaround after voters approved a controversial law a couple of years back that, believe it or not, legalized hard drugs including heroin, fentanyl opioids, and other hard drugs."

2. Consequences of the Policy

The legalization experiment quickly proved disastrous, even in the traditionally liberal state of Oregon. Key issues that emerged included:

• Surge in Overdose Deaths: The permissive drug laws led to skyrocketing overdose rates.

  Nathan Vasquez (05:00): "We saw people coming from outside of our state... and skyrocketing rates of overdose deaths."

• Explosion in Homelessness: The influx of fentanyl at the southern border exacerbated homelessness, intertwining with mental health issues and substance abuse.

  Sharyl Attkisson (00:27): "There was also an explosion in homelessness which in many places like Oregon coincided with the fentanyl opening up at the southern border."

• Defunding of Police: Concurrent movements to defund the police resulted in a significant reduction in law enforcement personnel, undermining public safety.

  Nathan Vasquez (03:31): "There was an outright campaign to discourage police from even coming here. And we saw dramatic drops in our numbers of law enforcement officers."

• Rise in Crime Rates: Portland experienced a dramatic increase in both violent and property crimes, including homicides that surged from an average of 20-30 to over 100 annually.

  Nathan Vasquez (07:21): "We went from averaging about 20 to 30 homicides in the city of Portland to over 100. So we saw some really dramatic increases."

3. Public Backlash and Policy Reversal

The dire outcomes of the legalized drug policy led to widespread public dissatisfaction. Voters, disillusioned by the failure to deliver promised benefits and the exacerbation of social issues, elected Nathan Vasquez as the new Multnomah County District Attorney to spearhead a criminal justice turnaround.

Sharyl Attkisson (00:04): "Voters voting out the supposedly soft on crime, George Soros funded prosecutor that had been there for a couple of years and voting in Nathan Vasquez."

4. Election of Nathan Vasquez: A New Direction for Multnomah County

Nathan Vasquez, in his first week as DA, outlines his commitment to reversing the failed policies and restoring law and order.

• Accountability with Compassion: Vasquez emphasizes the importance of holding individuals accountable while providing support for rehabilitation.

  Nathan Vasquez (09:46): "It's okay to hold people accountable if they break the law, they should be held accountable, and we can do that in a compassionate manner."

• Rebuilding Trust with Law Enforcement: A key aspect of his agenda is to mend relationships between the DA’s office and the police force, which were strained during the policy upheavals.

  Nathan Vasquez (09:56): "We need to have a functioning system. We need to have a partnership with law enforcement."

5. Broader National Trends in Criminal Justice

Vasquez discusses the shifting philosophies in criminal justice across the United States, noting a move back towards balanced approaches that incorporate both accountability and support systems.

Nathan Vasquez (16:55): "It certainly has come back to the middle... to do things in a way which I am holding folks accountable, but doing it in a very reasonable, compassionate way."

6. Specific Challenges in Portland

The episode highlights unique challenges faced by Portland, including:

• Homelessness and Crime: The intersection of homelessness with crime, particularly violent offenses, remains a critical concern.

  Nathan Vasquez (26:38): "We've seen a dramatic explosion in our houseless population and a dramatic increase in homicides and violent crime inside that community."

• Marijuana Legalization: While marijuana is legal in Oregon, it presents its own set of challenges, such as increased robberies and conflicts between legal and illegal markets.

  Nathan Vasquez (14:18): "We see significant robberies and issues related to the marijuana industry... which means they deal with a lot of cash and are vulnerable to robberies."

7. Internal Dynamics within the DA’s Office

Vasquez touches upon the internal disagreements and the struggle to maintain professionalism amidst policy shifts.

Nathan Vasquez (23:16): "The folks that work in this office work extremely hard, and they are very nose to the grindstone."

8. Future Directions and Goals

Looking ahead, Nathan Vasquez sets clear objectives to restore safety and order in Portland:

• Reducing Homicide Rates: Aim to significantly lower the number of annual homicides.

  Nathan Vasquez (19:22): "Seeing our homicide rates come down... that are very real examples of what I would like to see as a whole."

• Decreasing Overdose Deaths: Focused efforts to reduce the number of overdose-related fatalities.

  Nathan Vasquez (19:22): "A dramatic drop in our overdose deaths."

• Enhancing Public Safety: Ensuring that families feel safe and businesses can thrive without the threat of crime.

  Nathan Vasquez (19:43): "I want this community to feel safe... people to feel safe coming back downtown."

Conclusion: A Shift Towards Balanced Criminal Justice

The episode concludes with a reflection on the necessity of balancing compassionate approaches with firm accountability in criminal justice. Nathan Vasquez embodies this equilibrium, striving to rectify past policy failures and pave the way for a safer, more stable Portland.

Nathan Vasquez (24:04): "The last thing I ever want to see is that victims are left out of that conversation."

Notable Quotes:

• Cheryl Attkisson (00:04): "Today on this podcast, I'm gonna speak with Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez... legalizing hard drugs for a couple of years just proved to be disastrous."

• Nathan Vasquez (09:46): "It's okay to hold people accountable if they break the law... in a compassionate manner."

• Nathan Vasquez (16:55): "It has swung... back towards the middle... holding folks accountable, but doing it in a very reasonable, compassionate way."

• Nathan Vasquez (19:22): "Seeing our homicide rates come down, seeing public use of these hard drugs see that change and to see a dramatic drop in our overdose deaths."

This episode of Full Measure After Hours provides an in-depth analysis of Oregon's radical drug policies, their unintended consequences, and the ongoing efforts to restore balance and safety within the community. Nathan Vasquez's insights offer a roadmap for other regions grappling with similar challenges, highlighting the complex interplay between legislation, public health, and law enforcement.