As Washington County wraps up its first year of the Deflection Program, a new approach to substance abuse infractions, results are coming in. The initiative, started on September 1, 2024, offers individuals cited or arrested for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance a chance to avoid prosecution by participating in treatment programs. Since its inception, according to county officials, the program has seen 86 people take part, with 37 still active and 23 successfully completing the six-month program.
Danielle Farr, the Deflection Program Coordinator, credits the success of the program to "Strong partnerships, participants’ ongoing engagement with peer-delivered services and treatment, and responsiveness to our participants' individual needs." These services, which include providing assistance in Spanish, have been a pivotal aspect of the participants' journeys. Nearly 300 referrals have been made to partner organizations for housing, substance use, and mental health treatment, with 60% of those referrals resulting in engagement. A notable factor is that 40% of people who entered the program were unsheltered, but 57% of them found shelter through participation in Deflection.
An interesting piece of data shows that roughly a quarter of the individuals entering the program had never undergone treatment before, signifying a gap that the Deflection Program aims to fill. Washington County aims to adopt a non-citation pathway over the next six months, with the goal of mitigating barriers to recovery support for people within its community who face unique challenges.
The Deflection Program stands as an example of collaborative effort, involving Health and Human Services, the District Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, Community Corrections, and Behavioral Health Resource Network providers. Each entity plays a role in support and outreach, with peer-delivered services at the cornerstone. More details about the program's impacts and mechanisms can be found on the Washington County website.
As the program enters its second year, eyes remain on Washington County's Deflection Program as a potential model for addressing substance-related offenses in a compassionate and supportive manner, focusing on treatment and integration rather than punishment.
