Multnomah County's plans to open a $2 million drug deflection center are hitting a snarl of local concern, with Commissioner Sharon Meieran pushing for a temporary halt. Amidst the discourse on the facility's security and offerings, the deflection center at 900 SE Sandy Blvd. faces scrutiny over its preparedness to safely integrate with the community. According to Willamette Week, Meieran has flagged numerous unresolved questions regarding the management of those opting for treatment over jail, per the recriminalization mandate of House Bill 4002.
Meieran’s proposed 90-day pause aims to address these safety concerns and comes as the county grapples with the intersection of new drug laws and community welfare. The deflection model, set to take effect Sept. 1, allows individuals caught with user amounts of drugs to choose between incarceration or treatment. However, the facility's proximity to a local preschool has fomented unease. As reported by KOIN, Meieran remains unsettled, questioning "what happens if people brought to the facility by police choose not to go inside the facility and what happens to people after they leave."
Escuela Viva Community School, neighboring the proposed center, signals potential legal action against Multnomah County if the project persists without considering the safety of their 75 children, who engage in outdoor play daily. Escuela's administration is poised to seek an injunction, fearing that the center's operation could bring harm to students, staff, or the preschool's business. In a letter reported by KATU, preschool officials declare their readiness to target not only the county but also individual leadership team members and associated contractors over potential violations and the school's proximity issues at their 1111 S.E. Pine St. location since 2010.
The contention underscores a broader struggle with implementing treatment-over-incarceration models within neighborhoods. The deflection center, which is part of the county's effort to offer alternatives to jail for drug users, remains a topic of heated conversation. Advocates for the pause such as Meieran seek to ensure that critical community safeguards are in place, while stakeholders like Escuela Viva demand assurances against unintended consequences. As September 1st nears, the balance between effective drug policy and neighborhood safety hangs in the balance, with community dialogue continuing to shape the outcomes.
