As Multnomah County continues to confront the challenges posed by substance abuse, a new deflection program has shown early promise in shifting the focus from criminalization to treatment. In its initial four months, the program referred 212 individuals, with 67% engaging in the services offered, as reported by Multnomah County. Addressing the issue, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson was quoted saying, “In the first four months, we’ve seen hundreds of community members taking that first step toward recovery.”
The report also indicated that more than 24% of those who engaged have completed the program. However, county officials highlighted the need for caution when interpreting these early results due to the small sample size and newness of an program. The county’s efforts are part of a wider move to tailor deflection programs to local needs without a standardized data collection mechanism. Demographic information showed a significant portion of the participants were either homeless or between the ages of 26 and 40, and a distinction in substance preference with 26% using methamphetamine and 25% using fentanyl.
Accessibility to services is critical, with 66% of program referrals being for withdrawal management and outpatient treatment. Housing was the most accessed service at 24%, emphasizing the interconnection between substance use disorders and secure living conditions. The county’s proactive steps include expanding referral partnerships and experimenting with transportation options to the Coordinated Care Pathway Center.
Feedback from stakeholders indicates cautious optimism. For instance, Ken Sanchagrin, executive director of the state’s Criminal Justice Commissioner, told Oregon legislators that Multnomah County had as many completions in their county now than the entire program just a month ago. Commander Brian Hughes of the Portland Police Bureau pointed out the importance of treatment over arrest, saying, “We want to see people get access to treatment, and the deflection program is making that possible.” The program has also reportedly not led to an increase in loitering or criminal activity amongst its participants.
Fostering realistic expectations, Tony Vezina, Executive Director of 4-D Recovery, reinforced the idea that deflection is a process, remarking, “Research has consistently shown–and we see it firsthand every day–that it often takes people numerous attempts before ultimately achieving long-term recovery.” Chair Vega Pederson echoed this sentiment, urging patience and persistence in the ongoing effort to support individuals on their path to recovery.
