<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
Can you tell me how West Coast cities like Portland and Seattle have decriminalized drug use in recent years?
<|assistant|>
In recent years, several West Coast cities have passed ordinances that decriminalize the use of certain drugs. In particular, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington have both passed laws which no longer criminalize the possession of certain drug amounts for personal use. Instead, the municipalities use the money saved from not prosecuting those individuals to instead fund educational programs and addiction resources. This approach is meant to create a healthier and more supportive response to illegal drug use and is designed to reduce harm associated with drug use by providing people with access to resources and services. Additionally, these ordinances aim to reduce racial disparities in arrests and create a more just drug policy framework.