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Clatsop County plans September launch for deflection program; state representatives to visit July 22
Summary
County provider reported the deflection program tied to Measure 110 reforms is set to start in September, staff hired a primary clinician and mobile recovery allies, and state officials will visit in July to learn from the county’s pilot work.
Clatsop County’s provider and county staff described progress toward a September start for a deflection program that aims to give some people charged with low-level controlled-substance offenses the option to enter treatment instead of arrest.
“A deflection is the, the, Measure 110 compromise around controlled substances no longer controlled substances being, being made a misdemeanor again and giving people the option of deflecting arrest by going through treatment services,” Amy Baker, a provider, said. She told the council the provider team has mapped the process among law enforcement, courts and the sheriff’s office and is finalizing flow charts.
Baker said the program has hired a primary deflection clinician and an additional swing-shift recovery ally who can be contacted by law enforcement for warm handoffs after an initial deflection conversation. “We just hired our clinician who's gonna be the primary deflection clinician, and we have another, swing shift, recovery ally,” Baker said.
Monica, county staff member, told the council the county will host state representatives on July 22 through an OHSU-hosted ECHO learning collaborative so other counties can see the Clatsop model. The day will include a tour of the county’s medically assisted treatment program in the jail, rapid-access center on Bond Street, the permanent supportive housing project, and meetings with the local judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys; visitors will also be able to observe drug court in session.
Council members and staff said the county’s work has received statewide recognition and that the visit is intended both to share lessons and to advocate for continued state funding.
The council did not take formal action on the deflection program at the meeting; staff said implementation steps are underway and staffing is being finalized.
