PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Come January, people arrested for drug possession in Multnomah County will no longer be allowed to avoid criminal charges if they do not engage with treatment providers.
According to year-end data for Multnomah County’s Deflection Program, that would involve charges for the majority of individuals caught with drugs.
The change to the status quo in the county comes amid frustration from law enforcement and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez about the program’s leniency…