Amid the changing tides of law enforcement’s approach to substance abuse, Multnomah County has unveiled early figures from a new deflection program. In its first two months, the county reported that 91 individuals were diverted by law enforcement into addiction treatment services following the enactment of HB 4002, which recategorized possession of small amounts of illegal substances as a misdemeanor offense starting September 1, 2024.
According to a
recent update
from the county, between September 1 and October 22, 2024, the program seemed to notch a win, with deflections exceeding expectations by 20%. There were 83 deflections rather than the anticipated 68, and this accounted for a substantial 40% of the state’s total deflection efforts during that period.
Moving past the pilot stage, these preliminary figures have traced a promising outline for the program that the county initially estimated would see between 300 to 800 deflections annually. Highlighting the drive for public wellbeing, the Health Director of Multnomah County, Rachael Banks, reflected on the progress. “We are pleased that the program is up and going, but we still have a long way to go,” she stated in the
county news release
. “Our top priority is preventing overdose deaths, and anyone who has seen a loved one struggle with addiction knows it can take multiple attempts to gain long-term recovery.”
During the early operation of the temporary Pathway Center from October 14 to October 31, 2024, there were 19 deflection referrals by law enforcement partners, signifying an early adopter uptake. According to Tuerk House CEO Bernard Gyebi-Foster in a
county release
, “We have been at this for over 50 years and we know every trauma-informed engagement we offer at the Pathway Center matters.” His remarks stress the impact of the program’s hands-on and empathetic approach to substance abuse treatment.
Lending their support to the deflection paradigm, local law enforcement agencies have actively participated. Portland Police Bureau referred 17 individuals, while the Gresham Police Department chose mobile deflection services for one individual, citing proximity issues with the center. “Many of the people we encounter are looking for help but don’t know where to turn,” Portland Police Bureau Commander Brian Hughes
told the county publication
. “Deflection offers a path for people charged with possession, when no other criminal charges are present, to connect with support services and take steps toward recovery.”
Despite the logistical concerns, the county is actively engaging with neighborhood residents to establish a Good Neighbor Agreement for the Pathway Center’s temporary location. They remain committed, agreement or not, to addressing local concerns about safety and security in tune with their broader mission to rehabilitate community members struggling with addiction. Presently, there have been no reported upticks in loitering or crime associated with the program’s participants.
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