Multnomah County releases update on deflection program a month after launch

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- After 30 days since Multnomah County's deflection program went into effect, the county released an update Friday morning stating just how many have chosen deflection over jail when caught in possession of a small amount of illegal drugs.

Since the launch of the new program on Sept. 1, the county claims local law enforcement has referred 71 eligible people. Additionally, for those 71, outreach workers have reportedly made 136 total referrals, including for sobering services, detox treatment, inpatient and outpatient treatment, housing, as well as mental health support.

The County said they have been coordinating with the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Gresham Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office to track these numbers.

“At this critical moment for our community, we are committed to building a system to make sure law enforcement connects those eligible for deflection with behavioral health and addiction resources. We’re doing that,” said County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “This system moves people away from incarceration and toward health and healing, makes our community safer and begins addressing some of our gaps in treatment. We have a long way to go, but this first month makes me optimistic about what’s possible.”

Tony Vezina, co-founder and executive director of 4-D Recovery, one of the outreach organizations involved in the program, echoed this sentiment, stating peer outreach will help move others into recovery.

“Six months from now, the public will have a better understanding of the successes that are happening and the number of people who are getting into treatment,” he said. “Help is coming. Things are changing. Services are being ramped up.”

Individuals who opt for deflection have 30 days to access those services, according to Oregon House Bill 4002. In Multnomah County, if the services are not accessed by then, they become ineligible. Further, if they're stopped again within that 30 days, they could be arrested.

KOIN 6 has reached out to the county for comment on how many of those stopped by law enforcement for drug possession chose jail instead of treatment but has not heard back yet.