How Multnomah County plans to build out drug deflection in 2025
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Multnomah County's deflection center is located in Portland's Buckman neighborhood. Photo: Kale Williams/Axios
It's been nine months since state lawmakers recriminalized possession of illicit drugs, placing the responsibility on counties to develop plans to divert individuals from jail into local behavioral health services.
Zoom in: In Multnomah County, anyone stopped by law enforcement with illegal drugs for personal use — and who has not committed other crimes — can avoid jail by agreeing to an initial screening at a temporary deflection center and engaging with a treatment provider within 30 days.
- Between September and mid-December, 133 people have entered into deflection and received referrals for substance abuse management and housing.
The latest: We spoke with Marc Harris, who helped develop the county's program, about its early successes, challenges and what's next.
- This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Counties had six months to get deflection up and running. In what ways was that challenging?
- "The timeline was one challenge. We also did something that no other county did by pushing to get an actual deflection center open. Then there was getting the facility completely finished, general workforce shortages and staff training that pushed back the opening."
What are the county's deflection goals for 2025?
- "We are brainstorming ideas of where it would make sense to expand eligibility outside of law enforcement interaction, so referrals from first responders and eventually peer organizations.
- "Between March and May, we plan to add sobering services to the center, so that's going to increase volume. It will be open 24/7 at that point.
- "We're going to open up a permanent facility that will have even more capacity in late 2026. There are a few options we're looking at, but we don't have that identified yet."
Do you anticipate a shift in strategy when newly-elected offices enter office next month?
- "I think we'll continue to get support from our board and from the city to do this work, because we all know that it's reaching folks who really need help and support as they enter into their recovery journey."