LANE COUNTY, Ore. — Deflection programs across the state are potential paths to avoid jail for drug possession and low-level crimes, but a year after Lane County began its version of the program, less than nine percent of its total participants have graduated.
Throughout the year, 264 people joined the program, and so far 23 people have successfully completed it, according to county data.
Participants are referred by local agencies like Eugene, Springfield, and Cottage Grove police departments, and some are self-referred…