Pathways to Treatment

Lead Institution: RTI

Status: Active

Research type: Mixed Methods

Setting(s): Deflection programs in Oregon

PI: Hope Smiley-McDonald

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Pathways to Treatment: Assessing Effectiveness and Implementation of Oregon's Deflection Programs for People Who Use Drugs

This study examines how Oregon’s new deflection programs—designed to redirect people with substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and into treatment—are being adopted and implemented across the state. Researchers are interviewing public safety and behavioral health leaders in 12 counties, analyzing enrollment data for three program models, and surveying 900 people who use drugs to assess whether these approaches reduce justice-system involvement and improve access to treatment.

Study Aims

Determine how Oregon’s counties are adopting, implementing, and maintaining deflection programs

Assess the reach of the three types of deflection programs at the county level

Determine the effectiveness of the three types of deflection programs in reducing criminal-legal system involvement and in increasing substance use disorder treatment for people who use drugs

Principal Investigator

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Hope Smiley-McDonald, PhD

RTI International

MPI

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Alex Kral, PhD

RTI International