Oregon Decriminalizes Illegal Drugs; No Black Women In Senate

In Oregon, legislation that decriminalizes the use of all illegal drugs goes into effect on Monday. Voters approved a measure that calls for treating drug use as a public health issue and not a criminal offense. Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, joins us. Also, NPR's Juana Summers discusses the political power of Black women in the Senate now that Kamala Harris has become vice president. That and more, in hour one of Here & Now's Feb. 1, 2021, full broadcast. You can find more at hereandnow.org — and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or join the conversation on Facebook.