Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson on Friday, Feb. 23, signed onto a letter to pursue new and expand existing evidence-based programs that will provide pathways for substance users charged with drug possession to successfully enter treatment and care.
With her action, the Multnomah County Chair joins other Oregon elected officials who are championing Measure 110 reforms that prioritize treatment and support funding and infrastructure for community-based services.
The shared commitment calls upon counties to work with behavioral health networks, community mental health providers, community-based organizations, peer support organizations, law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, and local governments to create the programs.
It also seeks additional funding to stand up those programs that, once in place, can be used by law enforcement partners to divert eligible participants away from the criminal justice system.
Chair Vega Pederson calls on the Legislature to invest $25 million for a drop-off and deflection center, an ask co-sponsored by Multnomah County and the City of Portland, and to fully fund diversion services. Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards has been leading an effort to plan a center, and the Chair said she will be engaging Commissioners Sharon Meieran, Jesse Beason and Lori Stegmann in the County’s next steps.
Chair Vega Pederson, Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell and District Attorney Mike Schmidt sent Multnomah County letter of Commitment re: Measure 110 (236.75 KB)
In a statement today, Chair Vega Pederson said:
“Oregon did not have the resources in place that we needed to make Measure 110 work. I am asking the Legislature now to help fix that, and deliver critical funding and infrastructure quickly.
In Multnomah County, we also know that people in marginalized communities experience a far greater and harsher impact from any criminal justice actions around substance use. We will implement any reform with that top of mind. We must bring increased resources to BIPOC communities and people experiencing homelessness so that the treatment and care for these individuals is there when they need it.
Counties must have a drop-off and deflection center and other resources, including more providers, more behavioral health and peer workers and more treatment beds to get people the care they need to stabilize and recover.
I believe we still have time to reform Measure 110, while building on the solid learning of what has worked. But time is running out for our communities and for the people who desperately need our help.”