The purpose of Measure 110 is to make screening health assessment, treatment and recovery services for drug addiction available to all those who need and want access to those services; and to adopt a health approach to drug addiction by removing criminal penalties for low-level drug possession.

When they passed the ballot measure, the people of Oregon recognized drug addiction and overdoses are a serious problem in Oregon; and that Oregon needs to expand access to drug treatment. A health-based approach to addiction and overdose is more effective, humane and cost-effective than criminal punishments. Making people criminals because they suffer from addiction is expensive, ruins lives and can make access to treatment and recovery more difficult.

Multiple criminal sentencing laws regulating the possession of controlled substances changed from felonies to Class E violations on February 1, 2021.

It is the policy of the State of Oregon that screening, health assessment, treatment and recovery services for drug addiction are available to all those who need and want access to those services.

The initial measure required OHA to establish:

A Treatment and Recovery Services fund, financed with marijuana revenues. This would fund the new Addiction Recovery Centers and Community Access to Care grants.
Fifteen 24/7/365 Addiction Recovery Centers throughout the state by Oct. 1, 2021.
A grant program to support the Addiction Recovery Centers.
A second grant program to increase access to community-based services.
An Oversight and Accountability Council to oversee the distribution of the grants. OHA would provide technical, logistical and other necessary supports to the council.
A 24/7 Telephone Addiction Recovery Center by Feb. 1, 2021.

Senate Bill 755

Senate Bill 755 (2021) modified some of the requirements of Measure 110. The bill also provided details required for Measure 110 implementation. Some of the changes include:

Renaming Addiction Recovery Centers to Behavioral Health Resource Networks.
Establishing the authority of the Oversight and Accountability Council to distribute grants to providers. When distributing grants, the council must also ensure access to culturally specific and linguistically responsive care for historically underserved populations.
Adding details surrounding the newly created Class E violation.
Establishing Secretary of State auditing requirements.
Clarifying possession of substances.
Differentiating Class E violations, Class A misdemeanors and felony charges depending on the quantity of substances in possession.

Read Senate Bill 755 for full details.

Oregon Administrative Rules (Chapter 944)

These rules govern the implementation of Measure 110 and Senate Bill 755. They further define ways care is to be provided, including:

Operational, policy, and service and support requirements of Behavioral Health Resource Networks.
Formation of the networks and funding for the networks.
Data collecting and reporting requirements for the networks, and recipients of grants or funds.

Oversight and Accountability Council

The Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC) oversees the implementation of Behavioral Health Resource Networks. The council also provides ongoing funding for management of harmful substance use and substance use disorder through Access to Care and Behavioral Health Resource Network grants.

The council has 22 members from across the state. The members represent diverse communities and backgrounds.

The council meets every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Meeting agendas and links to YouTube broadcasts are on the council's web page.

Behavioral Health Resource Networks

Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs) are established in Senate Bill 755. A BHRN is an entity or group of entities working together to provide substance use services in Oregon. They serve people with substance use disorders or harmful substance use.

At least one BHRN must be established in every county and Tribal area.

Services provided by the BHRNs must be free of charge to the client. BHRNs must bill insurance for services where possible before using grant funds.

Each BHRN must provide trauma-informed, culturally specific and linguistically responsive services. Services include but are not limited to:

Screening for health and social service needs.
Screening and referral for substance use disorder.
Access to an individualized intervention plan.
Case management.
Low-barrier substance use disorder treatment.
Harm reduction services.
Peer-supported services.
Housing.
Mobile and virtual outreach.
Referral to appropriate outside services.

Behavioral Health Resource Network grants

OHA, in coordination with the OAC, posted a Request for Proposals for Access to Care Grants for the 2019-2021 biennium. $22.3 million dollars in grants were awarded to 70 organizations across Oregon in 2021. Awardees can use these funds to increase community access to service for people with substance use disorders or harmful substance use. Services can include low-barrier treatment, housing, peer support and harm reduction services.

OHA, in coordination with the OAC, also posted a Request for Grant Proposals to establish the Behavioral Health Resource Networks for each county. This grant opportunity requires interagency collaboration and the establishment of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with other entities. This ensures that each BHRN can provide a complete list of services as required by Senate Bill 755 and Chapter 944.

This grant opportunity opened Nov. 9, 2021 and initially closed Dec. 9, 2021. It was extended to Dec. 16, 2021, to give organizations more time to apply.
Because of the large number of applications received, the funding timeline was extended. This allowed more time for review and evaluation.
The new funding timeline is posted above.

Workforce

Behavioral Health Resource Networks are meant to offer services 24/7/365. Trained credentialed workers will be required for screenings, assessments and other services outlined in Measure 110 and Senate Bill 755.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted Oregon's health care workforce. OHA has taken many steps to offset the challenges. These steps include offering grants for behavioral health workforce recruitment and retention.