Multnomah County approves $2M funding for new deflection center amid dissent

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Contention brewed among the Multnomah County’s Board of Commissioners on Thursday as leaders decided whether to fund renovations for a new deflection center set to open in September.

Nearly all 14 people who provided public comment during the meeting urged commissioners to cast a “no” vote. However, the $2 million funding passed 3-2 moments later.

The proposal concerned a deflection program that will give those caught with hard drugs the choice between serving jail time or receiving treatment for a substance use disorder when House Bill 4002 goes into effect Sept. 1—once again outlawing the possession of hard drugs in the state.

However, Multnomah County’s new program could also allow drug users to avoid arrest and possibly walk away without mandated treatment. This outcome is possible for people who get dropped off at the deflection center and go through a screening and assessment with a peer counselor, but are not required to follow a plan for drug treatment.

The deflection site in question would be located in a 16,000 square foot facility on Southeast Sandy Boulevard , which the country has already committed to leasing for two years.

During the meeting, County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson argued that not passing the proposal would leave the county without a plan for services by the time HB 4002 goes into effect.

“In order to meet that day of Sept. 1, when deflection is going to be enforced, there needs to be deflection programs and deflection centers in place,” Chair Vega Pederson said.

But the local community—along with her fellow commissioners—have pushed back.

Commissioners Sharon Meieran and Julia Brim-Edwards, who have long criticized the Chair’s closed door process and lack of transparency with residents, both voted against the proposal.

Meanwhile, residents near the proposed site said the community should have more answers for what a potential deflection site could look like before the county can open its doors to what could be “little more than a front desk” a block away from a preschool.

“We can not afford to build the boat as we sail it with this project,” Miles Brooklyn, a preschooler’s father, said. “The stakes are simply too high.”

Buckman neighborhood resident Rick Johnson agreed, calling the proposal “an amorphous plan that may hurt everyone, the addicted, the community, and your Board reputation.”

According to the county’s renovation plans, the site will function in two phases:

Phase One will include a third separate law enforcement delivery entrance as well as rooms for intakes, assessments, and exams. The facility will also include showers and offices for staff, security, and authorities.

Phase Two will offer an ambulatory sobering location, at least 16 beds that function 24/7, and a capacity to serve 150 participants when completed.

The funding passed with a joint amendment requiring updates to the program plans by Aug. 15.

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