In a significant expansion of recovery services within Multnomah County, officials have proudly announced the opening of 13 new, 24/7 sobering stations housed at the Coordinated Care Pathway Center. This move, detailed in a recent news release, aims to provide accessible care for individuals facing acute intoxication, serving as an alternative to jail and emergency room visits and marking a reputable shift in the county's approach to substance misuse.
The sobering stations, which will eventually be part of a larger Sobering and Crisis Stabilization Center, directly respond to a noted void in crisis care, a gap that has been open since the shuttering of a similar facility in 2019. These facilities offer law enforcement a real-time solution for redirecting individuals from potential incarceration to more compassionate care.
The Coordinated Care Pathway Center became operational 24/7, starting April 14, according to a Multnomah County news release, thereby bolstering deflection capabilities for local law enforcement. This round-the-clock service model enhances opportunities for referral to deflection services and introduces a well-rounded approach to connecting individuals with immediate recovery resources.
The county is actively engaging with community partners to secure a seamless transition of services for individuals who complete sobering, as stated in the release. With the stations becoming fully operational on April 28, initial referrals will primarily come from law enforcement and will gradually expand to encompass a wider circle of the community.
