County details permanent sobering and crisis stabilization center plan, names site and starts neighborhood outreach

Multnomah County officials told the Board of Commissioners they have advanced planning and community engagement for a permanent 24/7 Sobering and Crisis Stabilization Center that will support the county’s HB 4002 deflection program, include withdrawal‑management services and be sited at a property the county entered into a purchase agreement to assess during a 60‑day due diligence period.

The plan: The permanent center is being designed to integrate sobering services, peer support, medical screening and withdrawal management. County staff said the center could have capacity of up to about 50 beds for sobering and withdrawal management, while an interim Pathway Center will add 13 reclining sobering beds when Phase 2 opens this spring to provide 24/7 care.

Background and legal context: House Bill 4002, signed by the governor, changed possession statutes and created an opportunity for a pre‑booking deflection program overseen by coordinated partners. Multnomah County convened a HB‑4002 leadership team composed of local public safety, judiciary and health partners to define deflection eligibility and completion criteria; the county began a field‑based deflection model on Sept. 1 and opened a Pathway Center in October to centralize many deflections.

“We will continue to provide…