Updated Nov. 26, 2024
What is deflection?
Deflection is a new program in Oregon that became effective Sept. 1, 2020 that is intended for people who are stopped by law enforcement for suspected possession of small amounts of illegal substances. The program connects community members to life-saving recovery services and other stabilizing resources instead of being arrested. Possession of small amounts of illegal substances is a misdemeanor under Oregon law.
Who is eligible for deflection?
People who are stopped by law enforcement for suspected possession of small amounts of illegal substances may be eligible for deflection if:
- They have no other outstanding warrants;
- They were not committing other offenses at the time of the law enforcement encounter; and
- Are not experiencing a medical emergency or experiencing a mental health crisis; can knowingly and voluntarily agree to deflection.
- Some people may be referred to deflection by the Multnomah County District Attorney’’s office at a pre-trial hearing to be eligible to participate in the program.Oregon law states that law enforcement partners have full discretion to determine who is and is not eligible for deflection.
What is the Coordinated Care Pathway Center?
The Coordinated Care Pathway Center is a new center in Multnomah County (Southeast Portland) that opened on Oct. 14, 2024. People who are determined eligible for deflection by law enforcement partners are escorted to the Pathway Center by law enforcement to initiate their participation in the deflection program.
What is considered a successful deflection?
People successfully complete the deflection program if they access the referrals provided by Pathway Center peer support specialists or other mobile outreach teams within 30 days.
Can someone who isn’t part of the deflection program seek help at the Pathway Center?
Not at this time. The Pathway Center is designed for people who are determined eligible for deflection by our law enforcement partners after being stopped for suspected possession
What happens if a person doesn’t complete deflection?
They will be ineligible for deflection for 30 days after the day it is determined the deflection was unsuccessful. If stopped for the same offense, they may be arrested.
Is the Pathway Center the only place where individuals can participate in the deflection program?
No. People who are stopped by law enforcement in a location that is too far from the Pathway Center may be able to initiate deflection through the Gresham Police Department or the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. People stopped by the Portland Police Bureau will be escorted to the Pathway Center. What services does the Coordinated Care Pathway Center offer? The Pathway Center connects people to recovery and other services but does not provide services itself. Participants establish a care plan with a support specialist who creates a customized care plan for each person. The care plan may include referrals to in-patient or outpatient treatment, sobering and detox services, housing, transportation, medications, health insurance, medical and dental services, food and other stabilizing services.
What happens after a person is escorted by law enforcement to the Pathway Center?
The deflection process begins when a person signs a Release of Information (ROI). They are then screened by experienced behavioral health specialists and medical staff to ensure it is safe for them at the Pathway Center. They then meet with a peer support specialist to establish a care plan that includes referrals to recovery services and other resources such as housing, health care, and food. The participant has to act on at least one of the referrals in the care plan within 30 days.
What changed on Sept. 1, 2024?
When the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4002 in April 2024, legislators included deflection as an alternative pathway to legal system involvement. Beginning Sept. 1, 2024, carrying a small amount of illegal drugs (possession) is now a misdemeanor. Under the old law, possession of small amounts of illegal substances was typically a violation, meaning a person could be fined, but not be incarcerated. After Sept. 1, if a person is charged with possession, it can mean probation or they can be arrested.
Does the Pathway Center offer sobering or detox services?
Not at this time. The Pathway Center will open a sobering center with 16 sobering beds in 2025. Until then, the Pathway Center is not an appropriate place for people who are acutely intoxicated. If a person is acutely intoxicated at the time of the law enforcement encounter, the person may be determined ineligible for participation in deflection and may transported to an appropriate facility, such as an emergency room.
Who provides deflection services?
Tuerk House is the service provider for the Pathway Center. 4-D Recovery, a community-based recovery organization, Volunteers of America (VOA), a community-based organization, and PATH (Promoting Access to Hope) provide field-based deflection services in other parts of the county.
How do you ensure the surrounding community is safe?
The Pathway Center has 24-hour security on-site that monitors for safety and security issues in and around the building. In addition, law enforcement partners patrol a 50-block radius around the Pathway Center. Community members who have concerns about safety or security that may be connected to Pathway Center, you can call 971-710-0082. You can also email: Tuerk House / Pathway Center email: PathwayCenter@tuerkhouse.org or Multnomah County/Deflection Program email : deflection-info@multco.us.
Do participants have to take transportation offered by the Pathway Center?
Transportation can be a major barrier to a person’s recovery journey. This is why the Pathway Center offers transportation to every participant during the entire 30-day period. If services in their care plan are available at the time they visit the Pathway Center, they can be escorted that day. The Health Department is working to ensure that every participant receives a TriMet bus pass. Some people arrange their own transportation from a loved one. Others are driven by peer support specialists, take public transit, or are provided taxi services. Deflection is voluntary. Similar to other health care or behavioral health programs and services, participants cannot be mandated to take transportation unless they are under arrest. However, experienced Pathway Center staff encourage participants to accept transportation through motivational coaching and addressing potential barriers.
