Oregon lawmakers made the right decision last week when they approved a move to make minor drug possession a misdemeanor crime.

The Legislature’s move puts an end to the state’s noble, but ultimately botched, attempt at decriminalizing illegal narcotics.

As part of the decision, elected state leaders also approved $211 million to increase access to substance abuse treatment and mental health services.

In 2020 voters approved Ballot Measure 110 that shifted the method used by the state to view illegal drugs. The law reduced penalties for drug possession, decriminalizing the personal possession of some illegal narcotics. As part of the measure, savings garnered from the cost of enforcing illegal drug possession — married to marijuana sales revenue — would be earmarked to fund drug addiction treatment and recovery grant programs.

The idea held a great deal of merit but was from the beginning an experiment. As the law rolled out there were notable shortages in furnishing treatment services and many law enforcement officials claimed the law no longer held people accountable for crimes.

The way forward now for the state — and the Legislature — is to ensure that the money earmarked for drug and mental health treatment gets to where it is needed the most.

Illegal narcotics are not going to go away. Neither are those who struggle with mental health issues. While it is right for the state to revamp Measure 110, it is also imperative the state remains committed to helping those who need it to overcome addiction.

Clearly, the Measure 110 experiment failed. However, now is the time to build a solid foundation for the future, where the state can work with cities and counties to address addiction and mental health in a viable, straightforward way that is beneficial for all.

The Legislature proved — this time — up to the task of tackling a difficult, emotion-filled subject. Lawmakers were able to develop a realistic plan to go forward but the important work on this issue isn’t finished. More must be done and the Legislature needs to show the same foresight it did with the Measure 110 revamp in the future with addiction and mental health issues.