Outreach team: 14% of people contacted downtown received same-day drug treatment

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An outreach team created to address Multnomah County’s fentanyl addiction crisis was able to provide same-day drug treatment to 14% of the people they spoke with in Downtown Portland between Dec. 13 and Feb. 14, data shows.

The Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon presented its data to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners during an April 16 board briefing. The data was the result of six days of outreach work led by MHAAO and the Portland Police Bureau Bike Squad. The pilot project was part of the Board of Commissioners' 90-day fentanyl emergency declaration.

Of the 99 people struggling with addiction or mental health issues who were contacted during the six-day project, 50 people were approached by PPB and 49 were approached by addiction outreach workers. PPB Bike Squad Officer David Baer said that PPB benefited from the partnership with addiction experts.

“The Portland Police want access to effective interventions for people struggling on the street,” Baer said. “We are not addiction specialists, and we look forward to this continued partnership to help us improve community safety and livability in downtown Portland.”

Of the 99 people contacted during the pilot project, 26% asked for a homeless shelter, 18% asked for detox services, 14% asked for drug treatment, 7% asked for medical care and 6% asked for mental health services. In the report, Behavioral Health Resource Network Programs Director Tammy Wilkins recounted one of the people the team was able to get into recovery.

“When police officers offered the individual the opportunity to speak with us and connect him to services, he jumped at the chance,” Wilkins said. “He was willing to go directly to detox. We were able to seize the moment and get him connected to all that was available. It was truly an honor to walk with this young man and help alleviate some of his suffering in the moment. That is what our work as peer support specialists is all about.”

While the team shared positive feedback about the program, some commissioners were left unsatisfied with the level of progress, KOIN 6’s Brandon Thompson reported. One of the issues brought up during the meeting was the fact that 66% of the 99 people approached for drug treatment received police citations.

According to the report, some of the main issues preventing more people from receiving addiction or mental health treatment include: people having a fleeting interest in receiving treatment, fear of government officials, limited services available based on specific needs or issues, lack of transportation and people suffering from medical emergencies.