Recovery housing providers and clinic staff urge county to protect recovery programs and the public STD clinic

Several public-commenters told the board that expanding recovery housing and retaining public-health clinics are critical to public safety and long-term recovery.

Speakers during the public-comment period included leaders of local recovery-housing providers who described personal recovery experiences and outcomes, and urged the county to fund programs that provide structured, abstinence-based support in recovery residences. Salara Salazar of West Coast Sober Housing described long-term outcomes for residents and urged investment in sober housing as a complement to shelter and behavioral-health services. Julia Mines, executive director of Miracles Club, and Troy McChesney of Hope Center Recovery testified about culturally specific housing for African American residents, program success stories, and the role of structured house rules and peer mentors.

Separately, Cindy Batt and other public-health advocates testified about the importance of the Multnomah County STD clinic, which county staff said is the only county-run STD clinic in Oregon and serves people across a wide area. Speakers said the clinic provides low-barrier testing and treatment (including PrEP, Narcan distribution and sexual-health services) tailored to queer and transgender patients, supplies critical epidemiological data and training for other providers, and that closing the clinic would worsen disparities and risk increases in congenital syphilis and other infections.

Commissioners acknowledged the testimony and staff said written testimony had been provided and shared with the board. No formal board action was taken during the public-comment period; commissioners and staff flagged clinic funding and behavioral-health investments for further budget and program discussions.