Joyce Ogiri and Tim Steele
11 minutes ago
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The city of Portland has applied for a $550,000 federal grant to create a service that will bring people to a new 24/7 sobriety center. But Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office said the funding lapsed because Multnomah County took too long to get started.
The money from U.S. Attorney’s Office Support Multnomah County approved funding several weeks ago to begin implementing some of the Behavioral Health Emergency Coordination Network services.
County officials told KOIN 6 News the grant was submitted before taking over the behavioral health network. They added that funding for transportation to sobriety centers run by the Coordinated Transportation Community Network is a priority.
“Our community is in dire need of immediate stabilization resources, and we will continue to work with our community partners to make these available online,” said Cody Bowman, Mayor Wheeler’s communications director. .
Multnomah County leaders are struggling to cash out more than $60 million in windfall revenue. Late last month, they approved nearly $7 million to build a 24-hour stabilization center.
During that meeting, Portland residents testified in support of the center.
One said, “Some of the other detox options are overwhelmed and you have to get on a waiting list to get in, and so many people need to get in. Just one more minute to help.” Waiting won’t solve the problem.”
