Oregon re-criminalizes the possession of hard drugs, including meth and heroin

Oregon is making it a misdemeanor to possess hard drugs, including fentanyl and heroin, in an attempt to address the state's drug problem. 

For four years, possession of such drugs had been decriminalized, according to Axios. 

In March, the Oregon legislature voted to reverse part of that decriminalization measure. The new measure went into effect on Sunday. 

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Beaver State has a very high rate of substance abuse. 

Twenty-eight counties have already applied for state funding for a deflection program, which is something that connects people with treatment services. 

HB4002, which passed Sunday, does have a provision for those programs.