PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A deflection center is set to open on Southeast Sandy Boulevard Monday, despite community pushback against the location.
Multnomah County’s Coordinated Care Pathways Center is meant to help get drug users into treatment instead of jail, following changes to Measure 110, which now requires people caught with small amounts of hard drugs to be arrested or face mandated treatment.
During phase one, the deflection center will include a delivery entrance, intake, assessment and exam rooms, shower facilities and staff officers.
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KOIN 6 News got an inside look at the new center on Friday and spoke with the Maryland-based non-profit, Tuerk House, who said this is the first step in addressing Portland’s drug problems.
“This will be the first step, it’s not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a first step in addressing a challenge and a problem that has been going on in the city for a while,” said Bernard Gyebi-Foster, Tuerk House’s CEO.