September 6, 2023 – Portland City Commissioners Agenda: Direct the Office of Government Relations to collaborate with state and local partners in the pursuit of consistent criminal regulation of controlled substances in public and adequate resources for drug treatment
of taking these individuals to hospitals when there is an imminent health threat requiring medical treatment or jails if a crime has been committed that is deemed bookable by the Multnomah County Sheriff; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to a health-centered methodology in addressing substance use disorder and has partnered with Multnomah County through the Behavioral Health Emergency Coordination Network to plan and advocate for expanding sobering facilities to meet demand, and state funding for treatment and sobering facilities, which flows to Multnomah County; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the challenges facing the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, including staffing shortages and a loss of state funding that will likely require difficult decisions to be made concerning booking criteria and potential reductions in jail capacity. The City intends to advocate with Multnomah County to obtain appropriate funding and resources sufficient to meet the safety needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, the City is further cognizant that there are additional hurdles facing the criminal legal system that impact public safety, including pretrial release standards established by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court[1], and a public defender crisis that requires systemic reform and expedient implementation of newly available funding; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to supporting and advocating for the County to seek appropriate funding and address these challenges with the urgency that the health and safety of our community demands.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
The Office of Government Relations is hereby directed to pursue partnerships with other Oregon local governments and the state legislature to collaborate on solutions to address the substantial impact of public consumption of controlled substances on community safety and public health.
The Office of Government Relations is directed to collaborate toward the following objectives:
- State legislation that aligns with existing regulations governing alcohol and cannabis to make the public consumption of controlled substances, as delineated by ORS 475.005, a Class A Misdemeanor.
- State legislation that amends ORS 430.402 to empower local governments to enact and enforce laws that recognize the impact of public consumption of controlled substances on the health and safety of our community.
- Continue to support and advocate for state funding to Multnomah County to expedite treatment programs and sobering facilities, ensuring that appropriate options are available to first responders when they encounter a person who is intoxicated by controlled substances.
- Continue to support and advocate for appropriate funding to ensure the Multnomah County Sheriff can meet the demands of individuals arrested for committing crimes that contribute to the public health and safety crisis, including distribution and ingestion of controlled substances.
- Continue to support and advocate for public defense reform to ensure those who are arrested for any offense are provided effective legal counsel throughout the criminal legal process.
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
A resolution to advance public safety and health in the City of Portland through the regulation of the public consumption of controlled substances by directing the Office of Government Relations to collaborate with state and other local partners in the pursuit of consistent criminal regulation of controlled substance use in public and adequate resources for drug treatment.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
No budgetary impact.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
The community impact of this resolution is intentional and additional collaboration between the City of Portland’s Office of Government Relations and state legislative members with the intent of making necessary changes in state law to allow for a larger municipal influence in the regulation and open use of controlled substances as to align with alcohol and cannabis.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.
Budget Office Financial Impact Analysis
No immediate fiscal impact. This is a resolution that acts as a formal expression of intent that this Council directs the Office of Government Relations to lobby for specific state regulatory outcomes and potential non-GF discretionary funding sources. OGR has a State Lobbying team as well as a contract with a law firm for state lobbying—all funded in its base budget—with which it can operationalize this resolution.
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