To the Editor:
In the article titled “A Drug User’s ‘Paradise’,” the portrayal of Portland, Oregon as a drug user’s paradise is far from the truth. The individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, and mental illness in Portland and other American cities are barely surviving, and without access to treatment services, affordable housing, and medical and mental health care, more lives will be lost. Measure 110, which decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of drugs and directs revenue from marijuana sales towards drug treatment and recovery services, is a step in the right direction but falls short.
It is important to recognize that drug treatment is not an easy way out. It is a rigorous and structured process that addresses the underlying issues contributing to a person’s addiction, including trauma, mental illness, and medical concerns. When administered by trained professionals and combined with medication-assisted treatment, primary healthcare services, and support for employment and housing, treatment becomes the most effective solution.
When we consider the cost of lives lost and the strain on essential services such as the police, prison systems, and emergency healthcare, treatment becomes a worthwhile investment that we cannot afford to ignore. Therefore, I urge the city of Portland and other cities in America to invest in comprehensive drug treatment and recovery services. Treatment has been proven to be the only sustainable way to effectively address addiction and save lives.
Peter Provet
New York
To the Editor:
The extensive description of life on the streets for fentanyl users in your recent article dispels any notions that individuals with substance use disorder are simply enjoying their drugs and seeking to get high. The article sheds light on the tragic lives of those whose brains and psyches have been taken over by fentanyl, xylazine, and high-grade methamphetamine.
At the national, state, and community levels, our task is to provide evidence-based harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services and opportunities. It is crucial that we prioritize these services to help individuals break free from the grip of addiction and find a path to recovery.
Don Mathis
Havre de Grace, Md.
To the Editor:
I commend Bret Stephens for providing a balanced view of the effects of drug decriminalization in Portland. Rather than engaging in gloating over what appears to be a failed liberal policy, Mr. Stephens prompts us to consider various approaches to drug abatement as “experiments” in social policy that transcend the liberal/conservative dichotomy.
It is evident that the “experiment” of harsh police action has been unsuccessful and has resulted in disastrous consequences. On the other hand, providing methadone under medical supervision has demonstrated some degree of success. The provision of clean needles, although still debated, has also had positive effects. While drug treatment programs are valuable, scaling them up remains a challenge. And finally, the form of decriminalization implemented in Portland has proven to be a failed “experiment.”
The point is that we have not exhausted our opportunities for experimentation. Given the immense human cost and financial burden associated with illegal drug use, we must admit that we do not have all the answers and should embark on genuine efforts to find out.
Richard Rothenberg
Atlanta
To the Editor:
Bret Stephens conflates Oregon’s current challenges with drug decriminalization with the past experiences of Portugal to argue that decriminalization as a general policy measure is a failure. However, the United States can only wish it had the same level of “problems” as Portugal. In 2022, there were 109,680 drug overdose deaths in the U.S., compared to 74 overdose fatalities reported by Portugal in 2021.
Portugal successfully decriminalized drugs over two decades ago, following a different approach from Oregon. Portugal’s focus on effective treatment, training, and social and professional integration, coupled with police involvement and legal sanctions for recidivism, has yielded positive results. As the U.S. faces its worst overdose epidemic in history, we should humbly look to Portugal instead of distorting data to suit ideological agendas.
Miguel Moniz, Brandon Del Pozo, Traci Green, Josiah Rich
To the Editor:
Lewis Hyde’s article beautifully captures the transformative power of carrying the tools we use to observe and capture the natural world. I have also found that simply wielding a camera increases my attentiveness and allows me to notice intricate details and behaviors in my surroundings.
What started as a hobby for me has grown into a rewarding passion and eventually a career. Both amateur and professional naturalists alike can enhance their lives through this practice.
Alcinda C. Lewis
Boulder, Colo.
To the Editor:
Lewis Hyde’s essay on “walking with the net” evokes a poetic image of his observant walks in nature, now focused on catching and releasing butterflies rather than collecting dead insects. However, it is important to acknowledge the decline in butterfly populations in the Northeast over the years. While some butterflies can still be spotted, they are only a fraction of what used to be abundant.
Penelope Ross
Westport, Conn.
To the Editor:
The strategic stakes the United States holds in seeing Ukraine succeed are minimal, while the stakes in seeing Russia fail are enormous. Therefore, the slow progress of the anticipated Ukrainian offensive should not be seen as a serious setback for the United States. What matters is that Russia is depleting its resources to the point of becoming a diminished international threat. A prolonged stalemate may bring misery to Ukraine, but it should not be equated with a defeat for the United States.
David M. Dorsen
Washington
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