4 arrested in downtown Portland on first day drugs become illegal again

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – On Sunday, the PPB bike unit made several drug arrests in downtown Portland, according to a statement from Portland Police.

It was the first day that possession of small amounts of drugs became illegal in Oregon, again. The law applies to drugs like fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.

According to reports, bike patrol officers stopped several people, and four of them were arrested. In addition, one person was issued a ticket and two people accepted distraction services.

On Sunday and Monday, the nonprofit organization 4D Recovery was on the streets to help start the process of turning things around for those who want it.

As of Monday afternoon, team members reported that there have been four deviations so far.

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“We’re doing everything we can to plant the seed and give them a chance to change,” said team member Meaghan Buchanan, who and three others, all of whom have experienced addiction themselves, were responding to the calls.

She added that their personal stories influence the way they handle things and help build trust among people struggling with addiction.

“Once we talk to them and they understand that we have personal experience, I think they’ll soften up a lot and be more willing to talk to us and work with us,” Buchanan told FOX 12 on Monday.

She added that the biggest obstacle so far is the lack of space in detoxification centers, which prevents immediate help for those sick.

4D CEO Tony Vezina said situations like this will soon be a thing of the past.

“Things are starting to work, even if it’s hard to see right now,” Vezina said. “The Legislature invested over $100 million in treatment services last session, it takes time to get those things up and running and working… this is day one, has it worked? No, but it’s starting to work and things are starting to change and people are getting help. I believe we’ll be in a much better place in a few years.”

During the last legislative session, Oregon lawmakers passed HB 5204, which allocated $200 million for various mental health and addiction services identified in HB 4002.

The team knows the program is still in its infancy and plans to work with the county and police to create the best path to success for those struggling with addiction. “When I talk to people who are using drugs and are on the street, they want to stop, they know they have to stop,” Vezina said. “It’s going to take some time, but it’s happening.”

“People who are addicted, if they got high, they would be completely different people, and prison often doesn’t help them,” Buchanan said. “They need help and treatment, and I understand that sometimes it takes more than once and so on, but I know they’re worth it.”

4D Recovery team members said they will continue to monitor the progress of people going through the diversion process, but it is up to the individual to follow through with the plan.

On Tuesday, Volunteers of America and the PATH (Promoting Access to Hope) team from Multnomah County will join 4D to help turnaround cases.

On Friday, PPB made clear that the criteria for diversion programs are strict and it expects most people caught in possession of drugs will go to prison.

• The person does not require medical care
• This person does not pose a threat to themselves or others.
• This person has no outstanding warrants or other charges.
• The person is not on probation
• The person is able to respond to verbal commands
• The person is over 18 years old
• The person voluntarily agrees to participate in the deviation program.
• Diversion team arrives on scene within 30 minutes

If a person does not meet these criteria, the police have an obligation to take him or her to prison.

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The following people were arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Jail on Sunday:

• Jeffrey A. Adams, 52
• Jason Armstrong, 46
• Samuel S. Hass, 37
• Patrick J. Leever, 43

The following person was issued a ticket in lieu of arrest: Morgan D. Jennings, 42.

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