In early 2024, Oregon's legislature passed HB 4002 to help reduce public drug use and overdoses statewide. This page will provide information as it develops.
Treatment Readiness Drop-Off Center FAQ
Why is this program needed?
The 4002 Leadership Team is working to create a pathway for people found with a personal amount of drugs to assessment, resources, and treatment and to be accountable to participate and engage in this new system. They will be at least required to undergo screening and be referred to services.
How many times will a person be able to go through this process?
They will not have unlimited chances to be deflected. The question of how many times a person can be deflected is currently being discussed by the Leadership Team. Treatment recovery experts and best-practices say people need more than one chance, but determining this will require the Leadership Team’s further engagement and agreement. Plans will continue to evolve. At least every 30 days, after the center opens Sept. 1, the 4002 Leadership Team will meet to look at the data and feedback from law enforcement and participants and adjust the program based on that data and feedback.
How is this different from Measure 110?
This is a complete break from Measure 110 protocols. Before HB4002, law enforcement could not interdict any one and they could not search or seize drugs. They could only hand a person a citation and a piece of paper with a number to call. Now, law enforcement has the tools to act in the moment. They can interdict illegal behavior, search a person and seize their drugs. Law enforcement also decides if someone should go to jail or be deflected. If someone refuses deflection, a law enforcement officer has the discretion to take someone to jail.
Who has been involved in crafting these policies?
The Legislature requires the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, providers from the Behavioral Health Resources Network and the County, as the Community Mental Health Provider, to be part of developing this system and encourages others, like public defenders and the Courts, to contribute. There is no one entity in charge because legislators understood that several systems have to come together, work together, integrate their data and move forward collaboratively to effectively move towards a system that prioritizes treatment. Community members struggling with addiction are far more likely to recover, heal, and thrive when they have access to adequate health care and treatment.
Is interacting with this center the only way people can be served by this new system?
Our treatment system must have multiple entry points for people with addictions, and in September, this center and other paths of deflection will create new ones. In September, the Center will be a primary point of entry. Collaboratively, public safety and behavioral health partners will build additional pathways beyond September.
What is Multnomah County’s role?
The County’s role is as a coordinator and convener. Commissioners have been involved in LPSCC public forums and several board briefings and meetings but aren’t involved in every decision because the Board of Commissioners alone doesn’t set the policy. Policies are made collaboratively among the many partners involved in 4002 Leadership decisions. After today’s Board meeting, the Board will receive a briefing on August 27th. There is a meeting with the neighborhood association next week that commissioners are welcome to attend. And there will be ongoing updates at LPSCC, including the meeting on July 22nd.
What is a Deflection Center?
The Center will function as a space for law enforcement to bring individuals unlawfully possessing drugs for screenings, services and treatment referral instead of booking them into jail.
Who is the provider?
The County is currently soliciting bids for providers to staff and support the Center. The new center will be one entry point that creates accountability and healing for all of us affected by addiction. This new Center will become integrated into a much larger continuum of care that includes recovery housing, transitional housing, detox services, and withdrawal services. In the coming months and years, treatment services and beds will expand to fit the community's needs.
Where is the Center?
Multnomah County has a lease for a facility at 900 S.E. Sandy Blvd. Portland and will be known as the Sandy Center. The Center will have onsite staff and security, and transportation services will be provided, including to home, shelter, services, treatment.
What is the timeline for the facility?
The Center will open September 1, 2024, for law enforcement drop off. September 1 is the first of three phases. Beginning September 1, 2024, the Center will offer assessments, screenings, basic need services, and connection to treatment and recovery services. It will be open specifically for law enforcement drop off.
Why did you choose this location?
This facility must operate effectively for law enforcement and not require significant structural improvements so that the Center can meet the State-established deadline of September 1. Law enforcement and the Multnomah County Health Department created search criteria that prioritized locations that are centrally located, larger than 10,000 sq ft., has primary service access on the ground floor, two entrances, and functioning heating, cooling and fire suppression systems. This location fulfills those criteria.
Who will be dropped off there?
Law enforcement officers who encounter a person possessing small amounts of drugs will bring that person to the Center. If there is any other criminal behavior–which could include things like trespassing or having a warrant, that person will be booked into jail. The Center is for individuals who would otherwise be arrested and booked for possession of a controlled substance, instead placing them on a behavioral health pathway and on the road to recovery.
What happens after someone is dropped off?
Services will include screenings and connection to substance use treatment and recovery services. This site is open only to individuals referred through law enforcement — there are no walk-ups at this time.
We know the most effective way to reduce an individual’s encounters with law enforcement and reduce recidivism is to treat their addiction. Treatment remains the most effective pathway to recovery. Connection to treatment and recovery services, pre-arrest, is offered only for individuals who possess a personal use amount of drugs, and have no other accompanying criminal charges. The Center will not be available for individuals experiencing acute intoxication.
Why is this center needed?
Multnomah County is firmly committed to reducing public drug use and overdoses and improving public safety and health outcomes. Because treatment remains the most effective pathway to recovery for people struggling with addiction, the new law (HB 4002) includes funding for a new deflection center for law enforcement to bring individuals unlawfully possessing drugs for services and treatment referral instead of booking them into jail. Expanding Oregon’s behavioral health system is essential and critical to addressing the addiction crisis that is impacting the entire region.
How will this program evolve over time?
The Deflection Center that opens on September 1st is the first phase. We anticipate two additional phases, and are finalizing timing for those.
- Phase 2: Additional program improvements will create added on-site services that incorporate feedback from law enforcement, community partners and participants. Phase 2 will include sobering and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) services.
- Phase 3: Relocate to a larger permanent facility to offer co-located and expanded services including sobering, withdrawal management, law enforcement drop-off, voluntary walk-in services, and more.
How will this utilize evidenced-based best practices?
Our Health Department has been doing research into good evidence-based practices across the country. Even though deflection as a part of the law is new here, it’s not new nationally and we’re working closely with experts to develop the policies and best practices that will inform not only what services are offered and how they will be provided.
What other parts of our behavioral health continuum will be integrated with these new resources?
This is part of a much larger continuum of care.
How have you engaged with the public?
On Tuesday, we met with over 40 neighbors who live, work and play near the new Center on Sandy. Here’s a few of the topics we heard and discussed:
What measures will be taken to protect our neighborhood’s safety? The Center will have on-site staff and security. Transportation services to and from their home, shelter and treatment facilities will be provided to those seeking treatment.
How many times will people have the option to seek treatment, instead of jail, at this center? This decision is currently under review with the Leadership team, which includes the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, providers from the Behavioral Health Resources Network and the County as the Community Mental Health Provider.
Why did you choose the location on Sandy Blvd. and 9th Ave.? This facility was chosen based on criteria identified by law enforcement and the Multnomah County Health Department. It is centrally located, large enough, accessible and has existing infrastructure and safety systems.
How can we be updated on this work?
The public is invited to attend monthly Local Public Safety Coordinating Committee meetings to hear directly from regional partners on how HB 4002 is being implemented. The next LPSCC meeting is on July 22nd, and there will be an update on the deflection program. A community listening event with the neighborhood association nearest the location for this facility is scheduled for July 17th.