Tribal Deflection

Supporting the establishment and maintenance of deflection ECHO programs for tribes members.

What is Deflection?

“Deflection serves as a community-centered practice by which law enforcement or other first responders make warm handoffs to community-based treatment and/or other services for people who have substance use or mental health disorders. Deflection presents an alternative to arresting people who might otherwise either enter the justice system or receive no assistance to address their needs.” — definition courtesy of the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network.

  • Deflection is the practice by which law enforcement, first responders, or community response, connect individuals to behavioral health treatment, social services, and recovery supports when issues of substance use are present. On September 1, 2024 possession of user level quantity of drug again became a misdemeanor level offense.

  • Oregon’s House Bill 4002 (April 1, 2024) encourages law enforcement agencies to refer to new behavioral health deflection programs instead of citing/arresting an individual found in possession of controlled substances. Learn more about the bill here.   

  • Technical Assistance is funded by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) The CJC Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program supports Oregon counties and federally recognized tribal governments in the creation and operation of their deflection programs. Learn more about the Oregon CJC Deflection Programs here.

Tribal Deflection ECHO

Pleae join us for cohort 1 of a Deflection ECHO designed to …

Technical Assitance Resources