Individuals who are contacted by law enforcement for misdemeanor drug possession or low-level quality of live crimes may be eligible to be deflected.

The following crimes are deflection eligible:

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Criminal Trespass 2

Disorderly Conduct 2

Theft 3

Criminal Mischief 3

Interfering with a police officer

Use of a controlled substance on public transit or trains

Frequenting a place where controlled substances are used

 

The individuals also must reside in Lane County and agree to enter deflection.

A data dashboard with information about the program participants, including demographics and referring agencies, is available online. The dashboard is updated once per day if new information is available.

See the Deflection Dashboard. 

If someone fails to complete the Behavioral Health Deflection Program the original charges that had been held in abeyance could be charged and the individual at that time enters the criminal justice system.

Successful deflection could look different for each individual. The general measure of success is that the individual is participating in programs and treatment and is making measurable progress. Some may only need a short time in the program while other could take longer. 

Peer navigators are individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system who will work with individuals in the Behavioral Health Deflection Program. They provide case management and will refer individuals to programs such as substance abuse treatment and housing assistance.

Lane County partnered with Ideal Option who will provide peer navigation services for the deflection program. 

The Behavioral Health Deflection Program was created with the passage of House Bill 4002 by the Oregon Legislature in the spring of 2024. Along with the recriminalization of drug possession this bill also allocated money for the creation of Behavioral Health Deflection programs. Money was allocated for all 36 counties and the each tribe residing in Oregon to create deflection programs in their communities.