Summary of Oregon Ballot Measure 3 - Oregon Property Protection Act of 2000

National Families in Action
A Guide to Drug-Related State Ballot Initiatives

Home

Commentary

Initiatives

Organizations

People

Summary
Full Text

Ballot Measure 3
Oregon Property Protection Act of 2000

Sponsor

The People Have Spoken
(A Subsidiary of Americans for Medical Rights)

Analysis

Requires stricter proof before authorities may seize personal property or cash they believe was used in a crime or is proceeds of a crime.

Prohibits government agencies from recovering the full cost of pursuing forfeitures; limits recovery to a maximum of 25 percent of the value of forfeited property.

Disallows use of the balance of proceeds by law enforcement. Mandates those funds to drug treatment instead.

Prohibits transfer of proceeds to federal agencies unless approved by a state court judge.

What Proponents Say
“There are hundreds of cases of people losing their property when they haven’t been charged with a crime and they never get their property back. It’s just wrong.” (Geoff Sugarman), initiative campaign spokesman.
(The Oregonian 6/28/00)

What Opponents Say
“There are virtually no criminal consequences to dealing or selling drugs in Oregon. The whole purpose of forfeiture is to create a disincentive to deal drugs by putting their property at risk.” (Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis)
(The Oregonian 6/28/00)

Funders

George Soros
Peter Lewis
John Sperling

Details, Funding

These three men have
contributed a total of
$250,000 to date.
(The Oregonian 6/28/00)

Status

Passed November 7, 2000.
For--67%. Against--33%. 84% of total votes counted.

Ranking

Compared to other states, Oregon ranks:
11th (tied with 3 other states) in past-month illicit drug use
8th in marijuana use
5th (tied with 2 other states) in drug use other than marijuana
4th (tied with 1 other state) in past-year drug dependence
6th (tied with 3 other states) in drug or alcohol dependence
(1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse)

Details, Use
Details, Dependence

Comment

Illegal drug abuse tripled in Oregon between 1995 and 1999. More Oregonians are abusing or dependent on illicit drugs than alcohol. One in nine Oregonians needs treatment for drug abuse and addiction, compared to one in sixteen in 1995.
(1999 Oregon Household Treatment Needs Survey, Health Division, The Oregon Department of Human Services, May, 2000.)