Multnomah County has expanded referral access to its 24/7 sobering stations at the temporary Coordinated Care Pathway Center in Portland, allowing additional behavioral health and outreach providers to connect people to immediate care for acute intoxication.
The change took effect June 24 at the center, located at 900 S.E. Sandy Blvd. Previously, only law enforcement officers offering deflection could refer individuals for sobering services. The expansion now includes Portland Street Response, Project Respond, Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT), Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), and 4D Recovery.
“Increasing access to sobering services for additional providers is another way Multnomah County is actively adding to our continuum of care and increasing access to recovery resources,” said Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson.
She added that co-locating sobering and deflection services at the Coordinated Care Pathway Center is improving the County’s effectiveness and providing “a singular location where individuals begin or further their recovery journey.”
Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards said the expansion is an important step to addressing urgent community needs.
“Opening access to sobering resources to trusted community organizations and non-law enforcement partners is a meaningful step toward expanding sobering, addiction treatment, and recovery services, which we know are urgently needed and long-overdue,” she said.
She noted that first responders see sobering beds as crucial alternatives to jail, emergency departments, or leaving people on the street.
“We’re thankful that law enforcement and organizations already engaged with street outreach have a 24/7 resource available to connect more people to services and onto a path into shelter and stable housing,” she said.
Tony Vezina, co-founder and executive director of 4D Recovery, said the new referral pathway will make a significant difference for people seeking immediate help.
“4D Recovery is excited to begin utilizing the Pathway Center to support individuals struggling with addiction through our deflection and homeless outreach efforts,” he said. “This new partnership will expand access to on-demand services, significantly reducing or even eliminating waitlist times for some of the individuals we serve.”
The expansion follows the April launch of 13 sobering stations at the center and the start of 24/7 operations. County officials say this phased approach will inform planning for a permanent Sobering and Crisis Stabilization Center, scheduled to open in fall 2027 at 1901 S.E. Grand Ave., with up to 50 sobering and withdrawal management stations.
County leaders say the temporary sobering center is already filling a critical gap left since the City of Portland’s sobering center closed in 2019, providing a low-barrier drop-off site for first responders and outreach teams.
In a letter to the County last year, Portland Police Chief Bob Day wrote that “the greatest need is for a safe and secure location where police can transport people who are displaying signs of intoxication and are unable to care for themselves or are a danger to themselves or others.”
Commissioner Meghan Moyer said expanding referral access strengthens partnerships with frontline organizations.
“We are excited to make this resource available to our partner organizations,” she said.
Commissioner Shannon Singleton said broadening referrals is essential to lowering barriers to care.
“As someone who has done homelessness outreach and social work, it is important that we expand access to these critical services,” she said. “I am happy the staff has found a way to expand referral access to the Sobering Center. It is important we recognize ways to lower barriers for care and treatment. I am regularly asking for expanded access for our homeless services providers and hope to see further expansion in the near future.”
Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon said building strong partnerships is key to addressing addiction and homelessness.
“These partnerships are key to building a deflection system that produces successful outcomes for our neighbors struggling with addiction and often homelessness,” he said. “I look forward to continuing these collaborations and forwarding other innovations that will increase these individuals’ access to recovery and other support services.”
