PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez announced a new approach to prosecuting individuals who fail to “meaningfully engage” in the deflection process.
This year, Oregon shifted from decriminalizing substance users to a diversion system, allowing each county to determine how to encourage recovery under the threat of prosecution.
Vasquez’s plan requires more from those eligible for deflection in Multnomah County, where individuals stopped for illegal substance use must complete a screening, receive a service referral, and engage with the recommended service within 30 days to avoid prosecution…