BEND, OR -- Following passage of HB 4002, Deschutes County is moving ahead with plans to create a deflection program for people caught with user-amounts of illicit drugs.
"It is essentially a goal to divert people who are willing to engage in some time behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment, to divert them from entering the criminal justice system and having that on their record long term," Behavioral Health Deputy Director Holly Harris told County Commissioners on Wednesday. "We would like to implement a Law Enforcement-Assisted Diversion program, otherwise known as LEAD. So, similar to what Marion County has in their community; similar to what Seattle has done in their community. These are evidence-based programs. And they really can be tailored to your community’s resources and needs, and what your community desires to do with these types of programs." She added, "When law enforcement encounters somebody out in the community that is now in possession of small amounts of drugs - deflection-eligible amounts - they can be offered deflection."
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Harris says unlike in Marion County, where efforts are driven by the Sheriff's Office, the Behavioral Health division would lead Deschutes County's program. She told Commissioners Best Care and Ideal Options have already signed on to help provide staff when someone is caught with drugs, "So, those two partners will be able to respond 24/7 to the scene with law enforcement, if that’s what’s appropriate, to really make that initial connection - which is what the legislation was all about: making that point of contact, starting to build rapport and engagement, and offer follow-up services." Harris says, "If the individual is willing to accept that and they do the follow-up requirements, that are still yet to be developed as part of the program, then their charges can be dismissed and their record expunged."
Deschutes County was one of the first to notify the state of plans to create a deflection program under the new law. Because of that early adoption, Harris expects the county to receive more than $756,000 in state funding, with the first half allocated for development and roll-out of the program.
