An equitable and effective approach to drug addiction in Oregon
In November 2020, Oregon voters passed by referendum Measure 110, or the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act. The measure’s goal is to establish a more health-based, equitable and effective approach to drug addiction in Oregon by shifting the response to drug possession from criminalization to treatment and recovery.
Multiple criminal sentencing laws regulating the possession of controlled substances will change from felonies to violations, and offenders will be given the resources to treat their addictions and recover. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is administering and supporting all aspects of implementing the health aspects of the Act, and OHA is required to establish:
- A Treatment and Recovery Services fund, financed with marijuana revenues, which will support new Addiction Recovery Centers (ARCs) and Community Access to Care grants.
- Fifteen 24/7/365 Addiction Recovery Centers (ARCs) throughout the state by Oct. 1, 2021.
- A grants program that will support the ARCs.
- An
Oversight and Accountability Council by Feb. 1, 2021, which will oversee the distribution of the grants. OHA will provide technical, logistical and all other necessary supports to the council and is currently taking
applications for people who wish to serve on the council.
- A temporary 24/7 ARC telephone line by Feb. 1, 2021.
The ARC and grants program
The 24/7/365 Addiction Recovery Centers (ARCs) required by Oct. 1, 2021 can be housed in or operated by existing qualified providers. There will be an RFP process for contracts.
A grants program will pay for the treatment and recovery services. Funding for the grants will come from marijuana revenue transfer and law enforcement savings from reduced arrest and adjudication of drug offenses. Those funds will be transferred into the Treatment and Recovery Services fund by the end of each fiscal year.
Implementation areas to be addressed
Funding: The funding source specified in the bill is marijuana tax taken from the Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Services account. These funds are currently used to pay for non-Medicaid behavioral health services through the County Financial Assistance Agreements. Shifting these funds requires backfilling with general fund dollars so existing services and service providers can remain effective.
Services: The measure does not include the full array of addiction treatment services and how they will be integrated into the current healthcare system. Currently, there is limited capacity to serve people at acute levels of care for addiction treatment.
- In some of the CCO regions, there will be a higher demand for services. There must be adequate funding to have enough ARCs to meet the needs of the population and ensure they are financially sustainable.
- Most of the services outlined in the Measure are OHP/Medicaid covered services, yet the measure does not require CCO participation with any of the ARCs. This must be addressed.
Staffing: ARCs are meant to offer services 24/7/365. Trained credentialed workers will be required for assessments. We currently have a severe shortage in our behavioral health workforce. OHA proposed investments in the workforce for the 2021 budget, which are included in the Governor’s Recommended Budget. It will take time, however, to solve the workforce issue.
OHA wants to ensure Measure 110’s intervention supports and services are integrated into the broader behavioral health and healthcare systems, so participants have access to a continuum of care that meets their needs and improves healthcare and public safety outcomes.
There must be robust participation in program design and oversight by consumers and representatives from BIPOC and tribal communities.
The Governor’s office and legislature must ensure shifts in OHA marijuana funding do not result in disruptions to existing services.
OHA wants to ensure marijuana funds are used only to purchase services and supports that have no other funding means.