⁄Policy Brief⁄ BY SCOTT KERMAN GIVEN THE WIDESPREAD FRUSTRATION and pain in our communities due to drug use and homelessness, it’s no surprise that people have high hopes for meaningful change. From recent legal actions like Portland’s camping ban to Oregon’s recriminalization of hard-drug possession, citizens are eager for progress. However, there’s often a significant gap between these expectations and reality. When immediate improvements aren’t visible or conditions seem to worsen, frustration can quickly shift to anger, sometimes directed at social-service agencies and charities like Blanchet House. Why does this cycle of expectations followed by disappointment keep repeating? Is it a matter of overpromising and underdelivering? Perhaps, although I believe it’s important to be ambitious because our challenges are massive. But I believe a major issue lies in our failure to fully frame the enormity of the challenges faced by the people we aim to help. Consider, for example, the term “deflection” in the context of drug recriminalization. For those with no experience of battling addiction, deflection may sound logical and even easy. It implies a straightforward redirection, a simple detour from being arrested. One may think, “Who wouldn’t prefer treatment over arrest and potential incarceration?” In reality, the term “deflection” fails to capture the complexity of recovery. Let’s be clear: We’re asking individuals to make one of the toughest decisions of their lives. It’s not merely about entering treatment; it’s also about committing to and sustaining a sober, substance-free lifestyle. And if we treat addiction as a medical concern, an addict’s condition is the result of a disease that has taken hold, causing impaired judgment with negative consequences. Stopping drug use is not easy and often takes multiple attempts, followed by a commitment to sobriety that is indeed one day at a time. From my experience working with people in recovery, I can attest that every day of sobriety is a triumph. Every person’s recovery journey is unique, but it’s crucial to recognize that those offered the choice of deflection by law enforcement or outreach teams are often in the dire grips of addiction, at perhaps the worst point in their life. It’s incredibly difficult to start a journey of recovery while being houseless and intensely poor. The challenges are tenfold where there is also mental illness, trauma, and a belief that the streets are the only community they know and where they feel a sense of belonging. I hope this helps reframe the concept of “deflection” for you. So what should we do? Should we abandon our efforts? Absolutely not. Miracles happen every day. I’ve witnessed people overcome incredible adversity and lead lives of meaning and purpose. To truly address these challenges, we must first acknowledge the immense difficulty faced by individuals with addiction in our community and ensure our actions align with this understanding. How do we do this? We need consistency and a comprehensive continuum of care that creates the conditions for success. 1. Relationships. This starts with outreach that focuses on building relationships and trust. We’re talking about individuals whose lives have been marked by abuse, neglect, disappointment and betrayal. They won’t easily accept help or trust those who offer it. At Blanchet House, our free-meal services are an opportunity to build trusted relationships with diners that can lead to treatment and shelter. This is why we invite outreach teams and other agencies to join us during meals, because being available when people are ready to ask for help is crucial. 2. More Resources. We know that the current number of detox and treatment programs is insufficient to meet demand. Until we expand these services, we must manage our expectations and find ways to bridge gaps. The waiting period for acceptance into a program can be disheartening and, even worse, result in a change of heart that further delays a person’s readiness for help. Without available resources, we often are locked into a tragic game of Chutes and Ladders. 3. Long-Term Sober Housing. Gaining sobriety that sticks takes time. Although we are making progress, such as Blanchet House’s expanded dormitory at Blanchet Farm and 4D Recovery’s new transitional-housing program, there is still a significant shortage of sober- community housing and programming. 4. Mental-Health Treatment. Drug use can often be used to self-treat and dull the pain brought about by trauma and mental illness. For individuals with a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental-health issues, drug treatment only addresses one challenge to them gaining a healthy and housed life. Not addressing mental health risks relapse and perhaps a return to houselessness. 5. Community Support. Those who make it this far through the recovery process deserve opportunities for dignified employment, housing, health care and continued support. We must give second chances. Unfortunately, bad credit, poor employment records and criminal backgrounds are barriers for many people trying to change their lives for the better. I often see individuals on the brink of achieving independent lives thwarted by bureaucratic barriers or failed background checks. Changing our community for the better is within our power. At Blanchet House & Farm, we continually ask ourselves how we can help someone take the next courageous step forward. If you join us in this effort, we can achieve meaningful change and create the community we aspire to be. Scott Kerman is the executive director of Blanchet House, a Portland social-service organization. JULIE SHOWERS New Drug Deflection Plans Oversimplify the Complex Issues of Addiction and Homelessness From my experience working with people in recovery, I can attest that every day of sobriety is a triumph. SCOTT KERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BLANCHET HOUSE 70
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