Oregonians remain strongly in favor of rolling back drug decriminalization and support tougher penalties for drug possession, echoing the results of a poll taken six months ago, according to a new survey commissioned by proponents of repealing Measure 110.

The new polling released by the group lobbying for cracking down on drug possession shows little change in public opinion since last August.

The results come as leading Democrats in the Legislature attempt to broker an agreement that would repeal Oregon’s first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization policy, which drew strong voter support in 2020.

Closed-door talks remain underway as lawmakers try to lock down support for a proposal that would make drug possession a crime while also giving the accused opportunities to enter treatment before facing conviction.

The latest poll was conducted by a right-centrist firm, GS Strategies, and was commissioned by a coalition that includes former Republican state lawmaker Max Williams, political consultant Dan Lavey, who is associated with People for Portland, and Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. Paige Richardson, a political strategist who has run multiple ballot measure campaigns, is also working with the group.

The group has threatened to move forward with a ballot measure for this fall if the Legislature fails to impose tougher sanctions for drug possession, infusing the ongoing short legislative session with urgency.

The poll was conducted this month and included 500 voters across Oregon. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.38 percentage points.

The results show likely voters remain soured on drug decriminalization, with 61% calling the policy a failure and 26% saying it needs more time to work. A majority of respondents said they want to see possession of drugs like fentanyl made a crime again.

Three-quarters of those polled said they worry about community impacts associated with street drugs, such as homelessness and public safety, while 20% worry more about mental health and addiction.

The poll also found support for harsher penalties, such as treating possession as a felony or the highest-level misdemeanor.

Williams has lobbied for a system using the criminal justice system and the threat of jail time as incentives to get drug users into treatment.

In a statement, he pushed lawmakers to move forward with a repeal and tougher sanctions.

“If legislators don’t act, voters are ready to,” he said.

Sandy Chung, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, said in a statement Wednesday that the poll reflects “fearmongering narratives” promoted by Williams’ group and others.

She said that while Oregonians remain deeply concerned by addiction and homelessness, they want “real and proven solutions including more treatment, housing, non-police mobile crisis teams, and community revitalization programs.”